As a prelude to the Lima 2019 Pan American Games closing ceremony, Peru will experience an unforgettable multi-sport day, seeking to climb in the medal table and claiming a place as a country developing its sport, to end its remarkable participation in these Games.   

In this context, spectators at the Villa El Salvador Sports Center will witness the fierce fight for the gold of the Peruvian karate delegation versus the best teams of the Americas, starting at 09:00. 

In Athletics, the Peruvian team will also be determined to win gold in the women’s and men’s 50 km race walk competition, which will take place in Miraflores starting at 07:00. 

On the other hand, gold, silver and bronze medals will be defined in the women’s volleyball competition, with intense matches between  Brazil, Dominican Republic, Argentina and Colombia. The matches will start at 09:00 at the Callao Sports Center. 

Likewise, the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center will be the stage of various competitions that will test the accuracy and effectiveness of the most outstanding archers of the Americas, starting at 09:00. 

On the other hand, from 11:40 am at Costa Verde, cyclists from various delegations will compete against in a dazzling acrobatics event for the gold medal in BMX freestyle.  

Starting at 11:00 am, at the VIDENA Sport Center 1, the judo preliminary round and final will be held with different events and the participation of Peruvian representatives.  

Finally, golf champions will be defined in the individual and mixed categories at the Lima Golf Club.  

As soon as Yuta Galarreta beat the Brazilian Rafael Macedo in the tatami, he started to cry out of emotion. He clenched his fists as a sign of triumph and then he came down fast to his coach to give him an endless hug. Galarreta dedicated his bronze medal in the 90 kg category to every Peruvian who shouted his victory. He even hugged a fan in the grandstands who gave him a plush toy for his perseverance in judo. 

His parents, cousins and friends also were in the grandstands and clapped until their hands were red. The boy who grew up in Japan was able to enjoy the taste of victory at the VIDENA Sport Center 1. The decision to come to train in Lima since the beginning of the year identified him even more with Peru and, therefore, he had so much emotion contained. 

“When I won the combat, I didn’t think of anything. I felt so happy that I just started to cry, and then I came down to celebrate with my coach Franco (Loza). He was very important because when we lost the semifinal, he encouraged me to go for the bronze medal. He trusts me, that’s why I thanked him so much. I thank Peru for their support,” he said. 

After the silver medal obtained by Alonso Wong in the 73kg category, judo is one of the disciplines that has given Peru the most medals. Winning 37 medals should not only remain in the history of Peruvian sport; it should be the beginning of something even greater. 

Five years ago, he thought about quitting athletics. The lack of support after an injury that left him out of the track for nearly two years, made him think about other priorities. However, his wife’s support (who is also an athlete) made him persevere. And this afternoon, at the podium of the 3000 meters steeplechase, with a crowd giving him a standing ovation at the athletics stadium, he felt that all was worth it. 

Brazilian Altobeli Santos won the gold, but Bazán managed to pass the last three obstacles and put pressure on the Colombian Carlos Sanmartín, who took the silver, and defeated the American Keter Benard for the bronze. This victory will be with him for many years. 

“During the seven and a half laps, I was thinking how the end was going to be like. We were six in the last 300 meters, but I was mentally prepared to endure the first laps and burn all at the right time. The feeling of winning a medal in my country is amazing. I don’t know if this will happen ever again, running in these great conditions, and that's why I enjoyed it so much,” said Bazán.  

At the age of 31, Bazán has achieved an unprecedented medal in track and field athletics in Peru. This victory adds up to the marathon gold medals of Gladys Tejeda and Christian Pacheco, as well as the silver medal won by of Kimberly Cardoza in race walk, one day before the end of the Lima 2019 Games. His story of personal overcoming should be highlighted. 

"I thought of all the sacrifice I had to make since October last year, away from home, training and competing alone in Europe. Without a doubt, the work of 15 years has paid off, to live this unique moment, with my people supporting me from the stands. When I was starting in this sport, nobody supported me, but sport gives us these satisfactions,” he concluded. 

The Pan American Games have given us a new epic episode for Peruvian sport, as the many others forged in determination and dedication. Now, the 35th medal of the Pan American Games for Peru is a reality.

Race Walking  

For the first time in the Pan American Games, women will participate in the 50 km race walking event on Sunday, August 11, starting at 07:00 in Miraflores district. The competition will be mixed, as women and men will participate at the same time. 

This was stressed by the Lima 2019 Pan American Games Organizing Committee, who explained that race walking is a progression of steps, so that the walker is always making contact with the ground. The advancing leg must be straightened (i.e. not bent at the knee) from the moment of first contact with the ground until the vertical upright position. 

The Peruvian women’s team features Evelyn Inga Huaynalaya, who won gold in the Pan American Walk Racing Cup (50 km event) held in Michoacán, Mexico, in April this year; and Yoci Caballero Huamán, who also had an outstanding performance in the competition, won by the Peruvian women's team. In the men’s event, Luis Henry Campos Cruz will represent Peru. 

The Peruvian team is confident about reaching the podium at Lima 2019. For this reason, they have intensified their training to be in optimal condition for the competition. They will play against 21 athletes from different countries. 10 women and 14 men will participate in this competition.     

Race walking is a road competition free of charges for all spectators, so around five thousand people are expected to attend the event and root for their favorite athletes along the route. 

The route to be followed by the athletes for the 50 km event goes from Av. José Larco, close to the Municipality of Miraflores, up to the intersection with Calle Tarata. Then, the return will be along the same streets up to Óvalo de Miraflores. 

Learn about the detour plan  

To ensure the optimal development of the competition, the Lima 2019 Pan American Games Organizing Committee, the Municipality of Miraflores and the Peruvian National Police (PNP) inform about the street closure plan which will be carried out on August 11, from 00:00 to 15:00. 

Closed streets: 

• Av. José Larco, from Óvalo de Miraflores to Calle Tarata 

• Av. Diagonal, from Óvalo de Miraflores to Calle Schell 

• Calle Bellavista, from Calle Berlín to Av. José Pardo 

• Calle Mártir José Olaya, from Av. Diagonal to Av. José Pardo 

• Calle Schell, from Av. José Larco to Av. Diagonal 

• Av. José Pardo (eastbound), from Calle Bellavista to Óvalo de Miraflores 

Alternative routes: 

• Westbound: Av. José Pardo – Av. Jorge Chávez – Calle José Gálvez – Av. Diagonal – Av. Benavides – Av. La Paz – Av. Ricardo Palma. 

• Eastbound: Av. Ricardo Palma – Av. Petit Thouars – Jr. Gonzales Prada – Calle Enrique Palacios – Av. Comandante Espinar – Av. José Pardo. 

• Northbound: Av. José Pardo – Av. Benavides – Av. La Paz – Av. Ricardo Palma – Av. Petit Thouars – Jr. Gonzales Prada – Calle Enrique Palacios – Av. Comandante Espinar – Av. José Pardo. 

• Southbound: Av. Arequipa – Calle Enrique Palacios – Calle Elías Aguirre – Av. Grau – Calle José Gonzales – Av. Diagonal. 

Recommendations 

The Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games Organizing Committee has some recommendations for the spectators who will be supporting the athletes during this competition: 

• Do not throw objects to the competition track. 

• Do not throw water at the athletes. 

• Do not interfere with the marathon circuit. 

• Do not bring pets because they could run away and interrupt the competition. 

• Respect the road closure which will be in force during the competition. 

Guillermo Garay is 22 years old and studies Sport Journalism. For him, being part of the Games is a unique experience. Watching the Games was not enough for him; he wanted to be part of Lima 2019.  

“When they called me, I was really happy. My family has always supported me, but I thought they wouldn’t choose me because of my visual impairment. But the Games are inclusive and they consider all applicants. That’s very important. Lima 2019 has set a national landmark in terms of inclusion,” said Guillermo. 

He is determined to motivate all Lima 2019 volunteers at the Callao Regional Sports Village. He also takes care of the dinning room, maintaining the order and cleaning.  

“We’re always motivated. All of us are here to contribute to the organization of this event because it’s important for Peru.”  

Being part of the largest group of volunteers has helped him interact more with people. He’s responsible for the check-in, so he talks to everyone at the entrance.  

“Meeting different people from different areas was the most amazing thing in my time as a volunteer. Sometimes, we chat a little bit and make jokes. I’ve worked with Colombian, Argentinian and Brazilian volunteers, and I’ve even exchanged pins with some athletes. It’s gratifying to be here because we know we’re helping to make this event possible in our country.” 

How you look is very important for our athletes. For this reason, we included a beauty center at the Pan American Village.  

In this place, athletes can get haircuts, brushing, ironing, makeup, hairstyle, hair treatment, manicure and pedicure services with the slogan “Let’s All Relax”.  

“Athletes usually bring a referential photo and, since our stylists are experts, they leave the center satisfied with their new haircut,” said Arlesvi Romero, manager of the Village Beauty Center. 

She also revealed that haircuts for men are the most requested service; however, girls always ask for hydrating treatments because their hair is exposed to climate change. As for nail and manicure treatment, it is requested by both men and women.  

The center usually provides around 35 services a day, and all delegations have visited it, such as the Uruguayan football team that had a special haircut design request. 

“It’s a great experience because it’s also a cultural exchange. I get excited when my compatriots come to the center because they feel at home,” added Arlesvi when asked about the Venezuelan athletes.  

The President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, stated that, regarding its organization, the Lima 2019 Pan American Games set the bar high for the next Games that will take place in Santiago in 2023. However, he is confident that Chile can surpass it. 

“I want to congratulate Peru, because they have organized a great Pan American Games. They have set the bar high, but I want to tell my compatriots that we are going to surpass it,” said the Chilean president during his visit to the VIDENA, where he attended the athletics competitions. 

Piñera noted that the challenge for Chile, after the high bar set by Peru, is to collect the experience of the most important sports event in the continent. President of Chile arrived in Peru to be part of the Lima 2019 celebration.  

“I was able to see the sports venues, the organization, the mystic and the enthusiasm, and that is something we have to learn from Lima, so that we can organize unforgettable Pan American Games in Santiago for all Chileans,” he expressed. 

The President of Chile said that he will soon meet with the President of Peru, Martín Vizcarra, and that he has already held meetings with the companies that participated in the organization of the Games to learn and collect the experience. 

He pointed out that, in Chile, they have a really good sports infrastructure and that based on that, they will make the necessary investment to organize the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. 

Piñera asserted that Peru made a significant investment for the organization of the Pan American Games and also for the legacy. “In Chile, we are going to make most of the investment made for the South American Games (Santiago 2014) and we are only going to add the strictly necessary to organize a great version of the Pan American Games,” he stressed. 

The President of Chile made these statements after he personally congratulated his country’s athletes, gold and silver medalists in the hammer throw event, Gabriel Kehr and Humberto Mansilla, respectively. 

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Carlos Neuhaus, President of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games Organizing Committee (COPAL) highlighted the positive balance that this sport event left for all Peruvians, that is also an example and legacy for the next international competitions to be held in Peru.   

He said that it has been an honor and a privilege to have had the chance to apply the knowledge he has built during his life in sports to deliver these Games, that will make history and that will remain in the memory of all Peruvians. 

He explained that they made a great effort to successfully fulfill their commitment and that all our foreign visitors will return home very satisfied. “Spectators, athletes and their entourage are happy and that is something that should make us proud,” he expressed. 

He also said that all volunteers deserve recognition and a place in our hearts for their kindness and willingness to help, as they are the soul of this Pan American Games. 

PUNTA ROCAS HIGH PERFORMANCE CENTER 

The President of COPAL announced that the best sustainable model will be applied to the Punta Rocas High Performance Center to maintain surf practice. 

He said that the possibility of a patronage —as the one in the Museum of Arts— is still on the table, due to the countries that participated in the Lima 2019 Pan American Games that wish that their athletes could stay in this center and practice surf. This will utterly guarantee the sustainability of the venue. 

A gymnasium will soon be installed, as well as rooms to accommodate surfers from Peruvians provinces. 

He reminded that it was a hard work to make this project come true, but that it was one of the most profitable investments, as Peru won several medals in surf, like in no other sport. 

PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES 

Neuhaus reported that athletes competing in the Parapan American Games will start arriving in the next days to start their trainings. They cannot enter sport venues for now, as competitions have not ended yet. 

The President of COPAL said that security will be provided for these athletes according to the level of the impairment, as they will provide all necessary support at all times. 

“We’re waiting for them with arms wide open, so they can give us the best sport events and we’re sure that they will surprise us with their skills and Olympic competition level,” he said. 

Surfing medalist Tamil Martino said that the building of the Surfing High-Performance Center in Punta Rocas is a dream come true for all Peruvian surfers. 

“The facilities are first class and they have an extraordinary infrastructure. It will surely be the best place in the world to train,’’ mentioned the silver medalist in stand-up paddleboard. 

Vania Torres, who won a silver medal in women’s surfing at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, emphasized that the venue is magnificent and that it has stairs to go down to the beach and grandstands where the fans can watch the competitions. 

PERUVIAN SURFING LEGEND 

The world surfing champion, Sofia Mulanovich, said that she was very proud for the achievements reached in surfing and the medals won by the Peruvian athletes that participated in the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. 

The renowned surfer congratulated the young athletes for their great performance and conviction with which they performed during the competitions. She considers that this must be the start of a boom in national surfing. Surfers secure six more medals for Peruvian sports.  

Mulanovich said that she was impressed by the facilities of the Surfing High-Performance Center in Punta Rocas, which will allow her to continue practicing the sport in such a privileged place. 

Additionally, she affirmed that she continues surfing and training because she does not lose hope of qualifying for Tokyo 2020. 

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