Since their competitions started, four days ago, tennis players have experienced a smooth daily transfer from the Pan American Village, in Villa El Salvador, to Lawn Tennis Club. In fact, athletes reported being very satisfied with the amenities provided by the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee. 

Juan Pablo Varillas, a top Peruvian tennis player (semifinalist in men’s doubles with Sergio Galdós and quarterfinalist in singles), says he has received good commentaries from fellow athletes about the development of the Pan American Games so far. 

“I feel really comfortable with all the facilities provided by the organizing committee: the service at the Village, the quality of food and the foresight to get to competitions on time. We are proving, as a country, that we are capable of organizing world-class events, setting a precedent on how to successfully host the Pan American Games,” said Varillas. 

Similarly, Ecuadorian Robert Quiroz noted: “We have been pleasantly treated by Peruvians from the moment we arrived at the Village. Service is top-class and we have experienced no delays in transportation. We are truly enjoying our participation in these Games,” said the Guadalajara 2011 silver medalist. 

On the other hand, Noelia Zeballos from Bolivia, semifinalist in mixed doubles event at Lima 2019 declares to be enjoying the Games. “I have arrived on time to all my competitions”, stated the Bolivian athlete. 

TENNIS AT LIMA 2019 

Tennis competitions will be held at the stadium of the Lawn Tennis Club until August 4. Athletes will compete in singles and doubles (men’s and women’s), as well as in mixed doubles. A total of 80 tennis players from 16 countries, both men and women, will participate in the Games, competing in knockout round stages. Click here to learn more about each match results and last dates.  

There will be six stages in men’s singles, starting with a round of 64, and five stages in both women’s singles and men's doubles, starting with a round of 32. Meanwhile, athletes will start competing in a round of 16 in women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Culturaymi, the Pan American and Parapan American Games cultural event, continues this Friday with activities for children and adults, and the entrance is free.

In addition to the renowned artists they can see in this cultural event, visitors to the Parque de la Exposición, in Cercado de Lima, will learn how to make a Milco mask in the MET zone. This workshop will be in charge of the Museo Amano experts, starting at 15:00.

In the MALI zone, a jewelry and knitting workshop will take place starting at 11:00 and it will be in charge of the Asociación de Exportadores (ADEX). Meanwhile, two theater shows called “Nave” will be presented in the Jugamos Todos zone at 20:00 and 21:00.

This interactive staging will allow spectators to listen, speak, walk, play and share, which creates an atmosphere full of empathy and collaboration. Besides, it will allow them to travel to their inner world and address intimate family relationships.

The Cajon National Day deserves a special celebration in Culturaymi. A wide artist program is included in the 12th “Rafael Santa Cruz” International Cajon and Percussion Festival, which continues until Sunday with great participants such as Tony Succar. In addition, there will be a great cajon performance by many percussionists, including the cajon ensemble that amazed in the Pan American Games Opening Ceremony.

Milco, the Pan American Games official mascot, will also be part of the event and will teach us the basics to dominate the instrument. He has even recorded a video tutorial!

It is worth mentioning that the Lima 2019 Cultural Program was created to share and celebrate Peru's creative and cultural richness. This program consists of a venue and a cultural circuit in ten districts of the capital of Peru.

The program will take place between 11:00 and 23:00, and the concerts will be extended until 01:00.

Do not forget to visit the Parque de la Exposición until August 10 and from August 24 to 31. Free admission

Lima 2019 opened a new stage that was remodeled to be up to the best cyclists in the Americas. The velodrome of the VIDENA opened its doors to welcome more than 2000 people in its grandstands, who enjoyed the competition among the best teams in the Americas. 

Entire families and foreign visitors were placed in strategic positions to see the competition of the Peruvian Alonso Gamero. He thrilled everyone when he took the lead in the Omnium event, leaving behind the Chilean Felipe Peñaloza, the Mexican Ignacio Prado, and the American Daniel “Hollywood” Holloway, who took the title in 2017. 

The conditions of the remodeled stage also allowed the Peruvian Estephany Valdivia to set a new national record in 250 m with a time of 22.308. The fans burst into cheers right after the announcement of this record and recognized the effort of the Peruvian cyclists, who now have the best conditions to train and compete internationally. 

The velodrome has a track of 250 meters. The track is made of African wood and, thanks to the remodeling, it now has a ceiling that turns it into an indoor stage. 

It has a capacity of 2300 spectators, with comfortable seats. The width of the track is seven meters. It has cambers (elevation in the curves), with a 42-degree angle. The velodrome has changing rooms and showers, a common area for athletes, a judges' area, as well as first aid stations for athletes and spectators. 

The boom of Peruvian cuisine continues to captivate the world. An example of this takes place at the Pan American Village, where over 4000 athletes enjoy the best of Peruvian food in the huge dining hall of this venue. 

One of the most popular foods is quinoa, a millenary cereal that has conquered the world and is now the enjoyment of athletes who consume it because of its nutritional properties. 

The huge dining hall covers the length of one and a half football pitch, where 700,000 meals are expected to be served until the end of the Games. Giorgio Mautino, mayor of the Pan American Village, said that athletes are very happy with the food provided at the dining hall, which is open 22 hours a day. 

Athletes can pick the food of their choice, as it is a buffet service. They can choose among many options: Peruvian food, meat, carbohydrates, salads and fruits, and they can repeat as many times as they like.  

Giorgio Mautino, who is also former national athletics team member, explained that food choices varies depending on the sport where athletes compete. “Some want to stay at their current weight, so they can pick mostly vegetables. Others choose carbohydrates and many others do not eat meat before competitions as it may be harder to digest,” he said. 

Mautino also highlighted how Peruvian food keeps on delighting palates around the world, something evidenced by the positive feedback and compliments received from delegations who stay at the Village. “Lomo Saltado is one of the most popular dishes requested by athletes. They all feel happy and at home, and that is the idea. Here in the dining hall, they can choose what they want and repeat as many times as they like,” he explains. 

On the other hand, Aldo Cardini, head chef of Sodexo, company responsible for the catering service provided to athletes, said that 600 people are working at the Pan American Village dining hall. The chef mentioned some fun facts. For example, the amount of mozzarella cheese to be consumed at the Pan American Games equals the weight of four Volkswagen Beetles.  

The amount of spaghetti could cover the distance between Lima and Machu Picchu. One million liters of beverages will be served at the Village, which equals four Olympic pool lanes. All meals are served using biodegradable dishes and cutlery for the benefit of the environment. 

Cardini revealed some of the athletes’ favorites. “They love quinoa, a product that has really caught the attention and appetite of athletes. They are aware of its millenary properties, and this is why they choose it,” he said. He also mentioned that during the Games opening ceremony, they served ceviche, one of our typical dishes, and many first triers loved it. 

Cardini explained that, so far, 100,000 meals have been served during the Games. 

Meanwhile, Micaela Vásquez, Lima 2019 catering manager at the Village, said that athletes are free to eat at any moment and according to their specific needs. She reveals that nutritionists are also taking care of athletes’ diet.  

Sunday, August 4 will be a key day for the catering and accommodation services at the Village, as it will receive almost 5000 athletes from across the continent. They also receive advice or requests from nutritionists of the different delegations to ensure athletes are eating the right foods.  

Today, for example, 3200 people registered for breakfast. Also, an average of 600 kg of bananas are consumed every day. Athletes can also eat desserts. Among the most popular are tiramisu, gelatin and flan. There is no doubt that athletes are enjoying their stay at the Village and our world-renowned gastronomy. 

“Cuchimilco y el Bicentenario” exhibition —showcased at the Byzantine pavilion in CULTURAYMI— aims at connecting sports values and culture through Milco, the Lima 2019 Pan American Games official mascot, and encouraging visitors’ interest in Peru’s archaeological heritage.

The activity, organized by the Bicentennial Special Project, highlights the importance of ancient Peruvian activities and the presence of Milco as a mythic pre-Hispanic character who has transcended time and space to promote sports values.

The educational exhibit includes guides who will teach us where cuchimilcos were found, the transformations they experienced over time, their religious meaning and the cosmovision of the inhabitants of the central zone of Lima. 

Children can participate in games, and adults can share their wishes for the Bicentennial of Peru’s independence. The exhibition will run until September 1 from 11:00 to 20:00 and includes guided visits. 

PAN AMERICAN FLAME  

On the other hand, the very same cauldron that traveled throughout Peru along with the torch relay caravan—covering 6,500 km for 23 days— is still lit and can be seen in Culturaymi at Parque de la Exposición. 

Visitors can witness the unyielding symbolic Pan American flame and even take pictures with it.
The colorful cauldron, which is decorated with Lima 2019 patterns, can be found next to the stage at the Flag Plaza, alongside the Bicentennial of Peru's Independence fountain. This location makes the flame even more symbolic, as the path traveled by Lima 2019 is also an essential part of Peru’s Bicentennial Celebrations.

Photo gallery (click here)

The same cauldron that traveled over 6500 km across Peru with the Pan American Torch Relay in 23 days is now placed in the Parque de la Exposición. This venue will house the Culturaymi, the cultural festival of the Lima 2019 Games. The symbolic Pan American flame is still lit, so that everyone can see it.

The colorful cauldron is decorated with Lima 2019 designs and is located in the Flag Plaza, alongside the pool of the Independence Centennial Celebration. This place makes the Olympic flame even more symbolic, as the Lima 2019 route is also an important part of Peru’s Bicentennial Celebrations.

Therefore, the Pan American Torch Route was an essential moment for Lima 2019. Even tough the Games are taking place in Lima, the Olympic flame united all Peru. Nowadays, this memorable route can be seen in the map of Peru as if it had veins.

The Lima 2019 cultural program is the result of the union of cultures since the regional governments opened booths with their craft and gastronomy workshops and perform shows to promote their culture.

Torch Route

On July 2, the Pan American flame was lit in Mexico, in Temple of the Sun, Teotihuacán. First, it flew to Cuzco, in South America, and then crossed the rest of Peru. Finally, it arrived at the National Stadium in order to open the Pan American Games on July 26. The Olympic Flame enlighten over 26 districts and 22 regions.

The official spokesperson for Lima 2019, Carlos Manuel Lazarte, reported that after the opening ceremony the sales have increased to 25 thousand tickets per day. Buy your tickets at lima2019.pe/tickets and on authorized points of sale.

So far over 450 thousand tickets have been sold for the ceremonies and competitions of the Pan American Games, as announced by the official spokesperson for Lima 2019, Carlos Manuel Lazarte, in a press conference at the Lima Convention Center (LCC).

“By the day of the opening ceremony, 250,000 tickets had been sold. It means that 25,000 were sold from the day of the opening ceremony onwards.” he explained.

Buy your tickets for the different Lima 2019 sports competitions at lima2019.pe/tickets and on authorized points of sale. Also, you can get your tickets at points of sale at Jockey Plaza and at Parque de la Exposición for the Culturaymi activities.

Culturaymi

Furthermore, Lazarte was satisfied with the schedule for the Pan American Games and Culturaymi culture activities taking place at the Parque de la Exposición as they are attracting thousands of people to these events.

Medals

In addition, Lima 2019 spokesperson made a recount of the competitions held the day before, and informed that the United States leads the medal table followed by Mexico and Brazil, and in eight place is Peru.

During the conference, he also reminded the anecdotal incidents that take place in the Pan American Games, such as the marriage proposal from a gymnast, who won a sports competition, to his girlfriend.

He explained that Argentinian artistic gymnast Federico Molinari, who won the bronze medal in the rings event, asked her girlfriend to marry him after being awarded and in the middle of a TV interview.

“We want the press and the media to be able to access as much information as possible, because in the end they are the ones who spread the Games, they spread the stories of the athletes and the sports results,” he said.