The athletics events for the Pan American Games have finally started. The excitement of the Peruvian athletes and the grandstands decorated with the colors of the flags of the participating countries made this day even more special. There were sprint, jump, and throw events.

Although she was not able to clock her season’s best time of 10.73, the Jamaican Elaine Thomas won the heat with a time of 11.36. However, she still achieved the best time in 100 meters in this qualification round.

One of the most expected events was jump, which featured the Colombian Caterina Ibargüen, considered the best athlete in 2018. Nevertheless, she was left behind by Chantel Malone from the British Virgin Islands. Despite nor winning the event, the Colombian athlete thanked the people who supported her: “All my love to the people of Lima. Thank you for this lovely stadium and for welcoming all athletes.”

The first medals were awarded in the discus event, where the Jamaican Andray Dacres landed the gold setting a new Pan American record of 67.68. This way, he surpassed the mark obtained by the Cuban Luis Delis in Caracas in 1983.

The women's 10,000 m race offer up a lot of excitement. The Canadian Michell Wodak took home the gold medal and broke the Pan American record of 31:55.17 . She even ran another lap carrying her country’s flag, along with her compatriot Lorraine Cliff who placed third.

Kimberly Cardona stood out among the Peruvian athletes. She clocked a time of 58.04 in 400 meters with hurdles, breaking the mark of 58.36 she obtained at the Trujillo Ibero-American Championships in Athletics.

The competitions will continue this Wednesday, with the women’s 100 meters event that will be held at 16:40 at the VIDENA Athletics Stadium. 

Photo: Depor

She has been the star of paleta fronton, a sport called Peruvian fronton at the Pan American Games, for 20 years now. For Claudia Suárez, winning the gold at the Pan American Games is a pending achievement.

She has earned comprehensive victories in her first three matches. She defeated Cuban Wendy Durán (15-6 and 15-10), Argentinian Melina Span (15-9 and 15-8) and finally Bolivian Diana Rangel (15-9 and 15-6).

“The best thing that’s ever happened to Peruvian fronton is to feature at the Pan American Games. I’m so proud of seeing other countries come to Peru and play our sport. But the medal will remain here at home,” says Claudia, showing the same calm and relaxed demeanor she displays when beating her rivals.

She has won 20 domestic tournaments consecutively, which was not part of her original plans. “First I wanted to win 5, then 10, then 15 and I didn’t want to retire. I never thought I'd make it to 20 and I still don’t want to retire. But I don’t know how long I’ll be able to play, so I’ll do it for as long as my body can stand it,” stresses the Peruvian champion.

Claudia dedicated last Sunday’s victory to her son Matías, who turned 15. “He’s the most sacrificed one because we hardly see each other, but he always comes to cheer on me. He also plays fronton and squash. If he chooses to play any sport professionally, I’ll be so happy.”

She will continue playing the qualification round tomorrow, Wednesday 7, this time facing off Chilean Rosario Valderrama. The match will take place at noon at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center.

A successful team, almost a family, with the same purpose. Five outstanding and medal winners representing Peru expressed their satisfaction for their performance at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games and for the legacy that the Surfing High-Performance Center (CAR) at Punta Rocas beach represents for the future generations.

Lucca Mesinas, who won the gold medal in the open surfing competition and qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Game last Sunday, assured that the new infrastructure will not only be useful for the group that stood out at Lima 2019, but for everyone.

“This is an opportunity to be part of something as big as the CAR Punta Rocas. I think this will give opportunities not only to us, but to all future generations. And it will be something very big that will help this sport.” he added.

On her part, Daniel Rosas, who also won a gold medal in the women's open surfing and got a ticket to next year's Olympics with only 17 years, said that, thanks to these new facilities “future super generations will come and you have to trust them".

Meanwhile, Giannisa Vecco, who missed the podium in Stand Up Paddle (SUP), qualified her teammates who won medals in the Pan American Games as leaders.

“The legacy left by the Surfing High-Performance Center will be incredible, because present and future generations will be able to prepare themselves in an integral way. That's priceless,” she said.

The Lima 2019 Organizing Committee called a press conference at the Lima Convention Center in San Borja. The gold and silver medalists Benoit 'Piccolo' Clemente and Vania Torres, respectively, participated in the longboard and SUP events.

CENTER OF ATTRACTION FOR SURF

After the Peruvian victories that came in waves, one after the other, the Punta Rocas Surfing CAR will remain as a permanent legacy, becoming a worldwide center of attraction for this sport.

The center will include various training and recreation areas, and a permanent grandstand with fixed seats for 700 people. It is one of the few surfing centers that is in front of the ocean, right where the shoal that creates the waves that athletes try to dominate with their boards is located.

This center was designed so that people from all the surrounding districts could enjoy a free access boardwalk, which unifies Punta Negra, Punta Hermosa and San Bartolo, and will end in a large public plaza. 

The area, which will continue its construction on Wednesday (a large long-term project that was not part of the infrastructure needed for the Lima 2019 competitions), will include a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a 5-meter-deep semi-Olympic swimming pool, designed exclusively for apnea (underwater resistance).

It will also include a skateboard ramp, designed for surfers with cement waves to simulate surfing movements with the skate, and 36 rooms for lodging, where athletes from other provinces will be able to stay, among other useful areas. 

The essential users of the CAR are the members of the Peruvian surfing team, but any citizen who wants to enjoy these spaces will be able to access them. It is important to mention that, as in other Lima 2019 venues, all spaces are accessible.

Photo Gallery (click here)

Peru has opened their doors to the world with the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games. Casa Perú—a promotional tool that PROMPERU (The Peruvian Exports and Tourism Promotion Board) has implemented around the world during large-scale international events—is the perfect metaphor for the country we must build.

Previous experiences, such as the Russia 2108 World Cup, have allowed, in this opportunity, to design a concept with a richer content in the two Casas Perú of Lima 2019: one located in the Lima Convention Center, where there are journalists from around the world, and another in the Pan American and Parapan American Village in Villa El Salvador, which houses about 10 thousand people, including athletes and members of the 41 delegations.

“I believe that a place like this in every game transport us to the different special places of Peru. Although we are dying to travel, we don't have much time to do so because of sports, and this place makes us feel as if we did. We're taking a little bit of Peru with us,” said Pía Colón of the Puerto Rico handball team.

This morning, the second Casa Perú—located at the Village—was visited by the Executive Chief of PROMPERU, Luis Torres Paz, and the Executive Director of SERFOR (National Forestry and Wildlife Service), Alberto Zúñiga; to give recognition to the representatives of the Ucayali Export Consortium (CEMU), which groups companies such as Comasac, Industria Forestal Huayruro SAC (Inforhuay), Forestal Marañón and Alpi Industrias, among others.

They also gave a recognition to Amaz Floors, which fabricated the tongue-and-groove floor of the Lima 2019 Casa Perú, as well as to the company Madera Transformada S.A. (Matransa), for its expertise in the assembly of the infrastructure of the PROMPERÚ promotion platform and the other finishes that were also present.

"So far, about 3500 people participating in Lima 2019 have visited it and have been able to appreciate a very significant and representative part of Peru. We are quite satisfied and excited about the visiting delegations. This format aims to bring our country a little closer to the world, so that the riches that Peru has throughout its territory can be appreciated and shared," said Torres Paz.

The woods used to build that Casa Perú are of the highest quality, and were provided by companies that meet international standards. This also shows that, in addition to our superfoods and flagship products, the Peruvian forest resource has an enormous potential.

“This design has been directly contributed by companies that work and manufacture national and legal wood, and that—operating under these circumstances—are also remarkably profitable. This means that, with the sufficient support, there is a possibility of transformation of an area of enormous importance. For these reasons, we are really happy that this desire has been fulfilled in this Casa Perú. It is for us the the beginning of a work that we will show in different regions of Peru and places of the world,” assured Zúñiga. 

A friendly group of dogs has won the hearts of thousands of athletes who came to stay at the Pan American Village in the district of Villa El Salvador. A total of 13 docile dogs have an 'accreditation' and the freedom to share time with the athletes, who have gotten attached to them.

The 13 dogs have a 'Dog village', which was built within the Pan American Village. They eat and sleep there, although they are usually found around the buildings where the athletes stay throughout the day. All the dogs are sterilized, vaccinated and very docile, so their coexistence with the athletes is pretty normal.

They all show their accreditations proudly and have been baptized by workers with names such as: Coca, Negra, Preta, Bambye, Reina, Are, Hermes, Pablo, Chato, Puñete, Toby, Gringo and Sultán. All of them have the surname Villa Buitrón written in their accreditations, which reaffirms them as part of the Pan American Village team.

Paloma Yrrivarren, who is in charge of the Pan American Village, said that several dogs were already inside the area when the construction began in 2017, while others arrived as the days went by. Therefore, it was decided to 'accredit' the 13 dogs and build them a house.

"We have informed the athletes that these dogs are well cared for, vaccinated and healthy. We now want them to find a permanent home. The 13 dogs have been well received by the athletes because they are not aggressive. We decided to give them their accreditation to be recognized, to give security to the residents and to see that they are part of the Village team. Athletes have grown fond of the animals because they are docile, loving and healthy.  The Canadians and Brazilians are very happy,” stated Yrrivarren.

One of the most enthusiastic workers in the care of the 13 dogs is Nathaly Romero, who is part of the company MB, which is responsible for the care of the parks and gardens of the Village. The dogs won her heart and that is why she feeds and take care of them with the support of the veterinaries of the district.

“We have old dogs that were already here and stayed because they had food. They were given affection and now we are in a campaign to give them up for adoption once the Games are over so that they are not alone. Formally, there are 13 dogs, but there is an average of 20, because they can find food here. Those who want to adopt the dogs should call 927627684. We are also asking for food and medicine. Each puppy has a story, one sadder than the other, but in the Village, we are making them happy. We have support from the Oasis veterinary, that helps us by taking care of the puppies," said Nathaly Romero.

In recent months, seven puppies have been adopted, some by the Lima 2019 workers, who got attached to them. "'Reina' is one of the dogs that was adopted and although many say that adult dogs are terrible, that's a lie because the one that was adopted behaves very well," said the enthusiastic worker.

Athletes from the Americas are currently competing in top-level modern sports venues. These construction works were built efficiently and quickly for the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games thanks to an innovative contract model. 

In order to provide assistance in project management, including tenders on infrastructure and strategic sports services, Peru and the United Kingdom signed a government-to-government agreement. This promotes the knowledge transfer and will end once the Games are over.  

Thus, a new contract model came to Peru: the New Engineering Contract. Due to the short term, the NEC Option F contract was chosen. It suggests a collaborative work between the parties, prioritizes the execution period and allows the immediate resolution of any dispute without paralyzing the contract. It also proposes the payment of incentives for cost and term improvements. Being designed by engineers, the contract has a simple writing and is easy to understand, which decreases the risk of disputes between the parties.   

With the manager contracting procedure to be applied in NEC contracts, efficiency and transparency are guaranteed, but above all, innovation and compliance with ethical standards are promoted. All companies applying have the same chances of reaching the end of the tendering process. 

The agreement with the British Government also promotes the knowledge exchange in project management, contract administration, sporting events organization, and, especially, in policy implementation. This last one ensures the transparency and integrity of the management. 

“The investment has not only been in infrastructure, but in human capital, comprised by the collaborators and the thousands of volunteers. They have given their time and energy to be part of this project, which is now a reality and will have as legacy the transfer of knowledge thanks to the government-to-government agreement and the NEC contract model,” pointed out Amalia Moreno, the Lima 2019 executive secretary. 

This contract model made possible the construction of the most important Lima 2019 Games venues, such as the Pan American and Parapan American Village, the National Sports Village - VIDENA, the Callao Regional Sports Village, the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center, the Villa El Salvador Sports Center and Las Palmas Shooting Range. 

It is worth mentioning that, for the first time in Latin America, large-scale infrastructure is developed through an agreement between Peru and the United Kingdom, for the design, engineering and construction of the Games infrastructure.  

NECs, used to build the construction works for the London 2012 Olympic Games, were designed by the UK Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in 1993 to manage large-scale projects, from engineering to services and minor purchases of goods. 

Visitors to Culturaymi at Parque de la Exposición can participate in the cultural program of activities, parallel to the Pan American Games, and also receive guidance from various government entities.

“Estamos a tu servicio” is a free public service fair offered by the Prime Minister, in which the following entities will participate: Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations, Ministry of Education, and the Prime Ministry through its Public Management Department.

The stand “Vida saludable” of the Ministry of Health has a stationary bicycle that charges cell batteries with the energy generated.
Other health-related stands that you can visit are as follows: Triage with weight control, height, body mass index to confirm overweight or obesity; influenza vaccines for children under five years and senior citizens, and blood pressure measurement to prevent hypertension.

Children are the top priority for the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion, so its stand “Primera infancia” provides information about government services for child development.

Other stands include: “Ponte en modo niñez” by the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations. It has board games and a roulette to inform everyone about the care, responsibilities and actions that must be taken to protect children.

Finally, the stand “Plataformas MAC-PCM” informs about the procedures and services provided by Citizen Service Centers. This fair is located at Parque de la Exposición and people will be able to access free of charge.

The National Sports Village (VIDENA) in San Luis will be the stage of a long competition day with the different swimming styles, on Tuesday, August 6. The medal events, awarding gold medals, will be held at night.

The men’s and women’s 400 m freestyle, 100 m breaststroke, 200 m butterfly and 4x100 m freestyle relay events will start at 20:30.

However, there is a discipline that will potentially add to Peru's medal count in the Lima 2019 Pan American Games: Peruvian fronton. It’s a basque pelota event where Peruvians have clear chances of seizing the gold.

In this 100% Peruvian sport, Peruvian Kevin Martínez, who has already won against Cuban Alejandro González and Mexican Isaac Pérez, is one of the best representatives of the host country. Starting at noon on Tuesday, Kevin will face the American Salvador Espinoza in Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center.

Claudia Suaréz is another Peruvian ace in Peruvian fronton. The athlete has won two matches against Cuba and Argentina and will face Venezuelan Diana Rangel, starting at 12:00.   

Additionally, this fourteenth day is marked, as usual, by the best multi-sport events where the best delegations of the Americas will fight for the glory of their countries.

The women’s doubles final for the gold medal will be taking place. Events of this sport will be divided in two sessions starting at 10:00 and 15:00.

The Callao Regional Sports Village will be the stage of racquetball men’s and women’s singles and doubles semifinals for the bronze medal, starting at 10:00.

Likewise, at the Athletics Stadium in VIDENA, from 14:00, a series of events will define gold winners of 10000 m and 5000 m, among others.

Fencing will also define the gold, silver and bronze winners in individual sabre and foil, starting at 09:00 at the Lima Convention Center.

Finally, sailing, softball, rowing, water polo, hockey, football, equestrian sports and women's basketball will continue their qualifying rounds to define the finals brackets.