A crucial day in Lima 2019. A few hours before the Pan American Games Opening Ceremony, the competitions of this event continue and others, such as rugby and artistic skating, begin.

Modern pentathlon is a sport that includes swimming, equestrian, fencing and laser run (shooting and running). For this sport, the fencing competitions, in men’s and women’s singles, will be held from 09:00 to 15:00 at the Lima Convention Center in San Borja.

Beach volleyball competitions will continue at the Costa Verde venue in San Miguel with 16 preliminary matches, in men’s and women’s category, from 08:00 to 14:40.

The rugby competitions will kick off at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center with the women’s category, with matches between Colombia and Argentina (09:50), and United States vs. Trinidad and Tobago (10:15). At 10:40, Brazil and Peru will participate in a spectacular match, and Canada vs. Mexico (11:05) will close the session.

In men’s category, the stage is just as attractive with matches between Brazil and Chile (11:30), United States vs. Guyana (11:55), Canada vs. Uruguay (12:20) and Argentina vs. Jamaica (12:45).

NATIONAL SPORTS VILLAGE

Artistic skating is one of the other disciplines that begins prior to the Lima 2019 Opening Ceremony. Short sessions in men’s and women’s category have been scheduled from 10:00 to 12:00, at the National Sports Village (VIDENA) in San Luis.

As for squash, the quarterfinals for men’s singles, women’s and men’s doubles will take place from 08:00 to 12:00.

With only 22 years old, Diego Elías has set a clear goal for himself in his sporting career. Placing eighth in the PSA (Professional Squash Association) ranking is not enough. Diego’s dream is to be the first Latin American to be the world champion, and if he keeps performing at his best, Diego has the chance to make it.

The Lima 2019 Pan American Games is the first step to success that Elías has set for this year. His first victory against Guatemalan Edwin Enríquez at the VIDENA volleyball high-performance center (CAR) shows that he will not be satisfied with the silver medal, as happened at Toronto 2015.

“It’s exciting to play with all the Peruvian fans cheering you on. It’s a special feeling because I don’t usually play in Peru. In fact, my last event was the 2013 Bolivarian Games in Trujillo, and I feel deeply committed when I think about it. However, I need to focus on each match not to be under so much pressure,” Elías stated.

It only took Elías 20 minutes to beat his opponent 3-0. He meets tomorrow United States’ Todd Harrity, a rival he has already faced and inspires him respect in the 62-square-meter court.

“I’ve been preparing physically for this tournament and you can see it on the field. I’ll try to take the lead. That’s why I took all championships very seriously to keep gaining experience because rivals also prepare hard to get to the top of this sport,” Elías added.

This is the competition calendar for the upcoming days:

To cheer our team on, buy your tickets at lima2019.pe/tickets and in the authorized Teleticket points of sale at the Metro and Wong supermarkets in the districts of Chorrillos, Independencia, La Molina, Lima, Miraflores, San Borja, San Isidro, San Juan de Miraflores, San Miguel, and Surco.  It is worth mentioning that a new point of sale has just opened at the Jockey Plaza shopping center in Surco.

SQUASH AT LIMA 2019

Squash at the Pan American Games includes the men’s and women’s categories in individual, doubles and team events, as well as mixed doubles. Thirty-six male and 24 female athletes from 12 and 8 countries, respectively, will compete.

Besides Elías, Alonso Escudero and Andrés Duany will represent Peru in the men’s competitions. Pía Hermosa, Ximena Rodríguez and Alejandra Zavala will join the Peruvian women’s team. The bracket draw for the seven events will take place on July 23 at 2:00.

Photo gallery (click here)

Over 2000 journalists across the world that cover the multi-sports competitions of the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games have found an excellent source of information in the Organizing Committee’s publications.

In its first edition, the Lima 2019 newsletter pointed out the victory of the Peruvian women’s beach volleyball team against El Salvador and the support of the Peruvian fans, as well as the stamina of the host handball team.

A complete and colorful photo gallery of the first day of competitions decorates the pages of this publication that includes press releases on the opening of the Casa Perú, led by the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Enrique Vásquez, and the COPAL President, Carlos Neuhaus.

The best Games memories are also included at the end of the first Lima 2019 press release, which will keep the press up informed about the events of the Pan American and Parapan American Games calendar.

OPENING CEREMONY

Also, the Lima 2019 supplement already hinted at the excitement of the Peruvian capital city a few hours before the Opening Ceremony of this multi-sport event that will bring all the Americas together.

The national and international press found interesting articles on the start of the sport activities on July 24, with beach volleyball and handball.

They also found useful information about to get tickets for the ceremonies and competitions, as well as the Culturaymi, the Games cultural program, and the Torch Relay.

It is worth mentioning that the Pan American torch will visit 26 cities in the Coast, Highlands and Jungle in 23 days. Tomorrow it will arrive at the National Stadium to mark the official start of Lima 2019, after being carried by 900 torchbearers and visited historical, cultural and natural sites.

The Lima 2019 special supplement provided details about the Games Opening Ceremony, which will feature 1700 national artists at the National Stadium, led by Lucho Quequezana and Vania Masías.

Besides, the ceremony will have stars such as Juan Diego Flórez and Puerto Rico’s Luis Fonsi. Around 50,000 spectators will watch the show and the parade of the 6700 athletes from 41 delegations.

The journalists avidly read the Road Plan implemented for the transfer of the accredited people, including athletes, judges, referees, volunteers, etc. They also found information about the arrival of the world medalists and a detailed schedule of the Pan American disciplines.

This way, they were satisfied as they got all the necessary information to cover the Pan American and Parapan American Games. #LetsAllPlay at Lima 2019.

Outstanding Peruvian and international artists, and the prestigious Italian show producer Balich Worldwide Shows, are in charge of the Lima 2019 Games ceremonies.

Just one day before the Lima 2019 Pan American Games Opening Ceremony, the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee introduced the creative team and the artists that will take part in the opening of the most important sports event in the Americas, to take place at the National Stadium on Friday, July 26, 2019.

The best-kept secret of Lima 2019 was revealed in a press conference. The “dream team”, tasked with showing the best of Peru to the world in the four ceremonies, was introduced at a press conference. The events promise to be exciting and captivating from beginning to end.

These important ceremonies will be produced by Italian company Balich Worldwide Shows, an international leader in the live entertainment industry. Some of its team members oversaw the Torino 2006, Sochi 2014, and Rio 2016 Olympic ceremonies.

Among the attendees were Juan Antonio Silva, Lima 2019 Communications, Commercial and Marketing manager; Simone Merico, Balich Worldwide Shows Business manager; Marina Charún, Head of the Lima 2019 Ceremonies Functional Area; and Lucía Navarro, responsible for the Lima 2019 Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Outstanding Peruvians and international artists, members of the creative team taking part in the Opening Ceremony were also in attendance: Lucho Quequezana, musical director; Francisco Negrín, creative director; Vania Masías, choreography director; and Pepe Corzo, costume and props designer.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank all the creative team. Your commitment was more than a contractual duty. These two teams have come together with the purpose of crafting the most important cultural event in the history of Peru; and this is no overstatement. It will be a tour throughout the country, where the natural and cultural wealth of Peru will be celebrated. We want to take this huge opportunity, because it is estimated that 400 million people around the world will set their eyes on Peru”, Silva stated.

Meanwhile, the BWS Business Director talked about how the joint efforts of two teams from different cultures were able to pull off a world-class show that reflects Peru.

“This journey ending tomorrow has been very special for us. The main reason—maybe due to the cultural similarities—is that we find great team members in the ceremony Organizing Committee. When we found the correct chemistry, alchemy and empathy, everything was so much easier. The team was very passionate, professional, and close to us. We combined perfectly a top-level international team, experienced in this type of events, with a group of outstanding talented Peruvian artists,” he emphasized.

Negrín also pointed out that the purpose of this great show is for Peruvians to feel proud of what they are, and remember the characteristics of their culture that define them.

“I started this project though I'm not Peruvian, and it is clearly a huge responsibility to showcase Peru, not only to the world but also to Peruvians. This process began when I met Pepe Corzo, who introduced me to Peruvian culture and to the most creative Peruvians, who I had to work with to craft this ceremony. Through their eyes I could see the cultural , natural, ethnic and gastronomic wealth that I already knew existed in this country, and it was like a tsunami for me. I understood what was important for them to tell, and for Peruvians to see.”

The Lima 2019 Pan American Games Opening ceremony will be held this Friday, July 26, at the National Stadium. Around 50,000 people are expected to be present in the grandstands and boxes Delegations of the 41 countries will parade, and over 6700 athletes will be received with applause from the crowd.

The show will feature 1700 artists on stage, including dancers, acrobats, and live musicians, who will bring the most amazing Peruvian landscapes to the stadium and will light up the Peruvian sky with the history of the Pan American Games.

PERUVIAN TALENT FOR THE WORLD

Outstanding Peruvian artists will be part of the big multidisciplinary creative team that will turn the Opening Ceremony into a 100% Peruvian event. Choreography director Vania Masías has spent several months training and holding auditions for volunteer dancers. Musician and songwriter Lucho Quequezana, responsible for the musical direction, is meticulously preparing every sound and musical note.

Pepe Corzo will show off his talent in designing unique costumes and props portraying Peruvian culture. Furthermore, Pauchi Sasaki is planning a surprise for us that will shake the National Stadium, and Elliot Túpac will show his colorful art during the whole ceremony. Jimmy López, Juan Carlos Fisher and Olinda Silvano are also among the main professionals who will be taking part.

Singers Guillermo Bussinger, Sandra Muente, Shantall Young, and Pelo D’Ambrosio will join their voices together to delight the audience. The performance of Peru's most famous tenor of all times, Juan Diego Flórez, will be one of the highlights of the event.

Photo gallery (click here)

Thousands of people will attend the Opening Ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, which will be held this Friday, July 26, from 18:00 at the National Stadium. They will be able to see more than 1700 artists on stage and remarkable singers, such as Luis Fonsi, Juan Diego Flórez, Sandra Muente, Shantall Young, Guillermo Bussinger and Pelo D’Ambrosio. The ceremony will also include dancers, acrobats, and live musicians, who will bring the most amazing Peruvian landscapes to the stadium.

The assistants will live, for the first time, a unique experience during the ceremony. Therefore, we ask you to consider the following recommendations:

How to get to the National Stadium

• The main entrance will be by the North zone of the stadium. To access there, you must go through Av. Bauzate y Meza and Av. José Diaz.
• To access from the Estación Central (Central Station), you must go along the edge of the Parque de la Exposición through Av. Paseo de la República.
• To go to the Opening Ceremony, it is necessary to use public transportation, as there will be no access for vehicles.
• Keep in mind that Av. Petit Thouars and the roads that cross the National Stadium will be closed.

Additionally, please note that the streets adjacent to the National Stadium will be closed from 00:00 on Friday, July 26, to 04:00 on Saturday, July 27, in the following schedules:

From 00:00 on Friday, July 16, to 04:00 on Saturday, July 27:

• From Ca. Parque de la Reserva, including Jr. Enrique Barrón and Jr. Emilio Fernández Barrón, all the way to Av. Petit Thouars.
• Ca. Benjamín Roca García, from Av. Petit Thouars to Av. Arequipa.
• From Ca. José Díaz, including Jr. Madre de Dios, all the way to Av. Arequipa.

From 12:00 on Friday, July 16, to 04:00 on Saturday, July 27:

• Av. Arequipa, from Av. Pardo de Zela to Av. 28 de Julio.
• Av. La Peruanidad, from Av. Horacio Urteaga to Av. 28 de Julio.
• Av. Pardo de Zela, from East to West, from Av. Ignacio Merino to Av. Petit Thouars.
• Jr. Manuel Candamo, Jr. Bartolomé Herrera, Jr. Emilio Althaus and Jr. Manuel Segura, from Av. Ignacio Merino to Av. Petit Thouars.
• Jr. Manuel del Pino, Jr. Teodoro Cárdenas, Ca. Enrique Villar, Jr. Mariano Carranza and Av. Alejandro Tirado (both ways), from Jr. Montero Rosas to Av. Petit Thouars.

Around 50,000 people in the grandstands and boxes are expected to attend this event. Delegations of the 41 countries will parade, and over 6.700 athletes will be received with applause from the crowd.

We urge people that will attend the Opening Ceremony, as well as anyone that will transport from the sports venues, to use public transportation and consider the following recommendations:

Before leaving your home:

• Make sure you have your DNI, as you must carry it during the whole Opening Ceremony, whether you are a minor or an adult.
• Do not carry bottles, glass containers, unprocessed food or alcoholic beverages, as well as banners, large flags (over approx. 1m x 2m), bikes, weapons, aerosols, flares, fireworks, pets, among others, as it is prohibited to enter with these objects (please visit www.lima2019.pe for further information).
• Make sure you have your ticket before leaving your home and look after it until the event is over.
• Go to the competition venues ahead of time to avoid crowds at the entrances.

 To enter:

• Everyone, even kids under 0 years old, must have an entry ticket.
• Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 
• If you are going accompanied by a person with an impairment, or who has some difficulty getting around, locate the special entrance zones or, ask for help from the Lima 2019 volunteers, who will be duly identified in all the competition venues.
• Keep in mind that the National Stadium will open at 15:00 and, once the ceremony starts, the entrance will be restricted. 

During competitions:

• Do not throw objects to the competition track.
• Do not throw water to athletes in competitions such as marathon, triathlon, race walk, among others.
• Do not interfere with the circuit, in the case of road sports.
• When judges ask for silence, keep quiet. Remember that some disciplines, such as tennis or rhythmic gymnastics, need extreme concentration for its execution.

Lima has become the world capital of sports as it hosts the 2019 Pan American Games. This was the reason why 57th Panam Sports General Assembly, which gathers the main sports authorities from the Americas, was held in this city.

The honor guest at this meeting was International Olympic Committee President, Thomas Bach, who arrived especially for the Assembly and the Opening Ceremony of the Pan American Games, to be held tomorrow at the National Stadium.

Also in attendance were Panam Sports President Neven Ilic, Mayor of Lima Jorge Muñoz, and Lima 2019 Organizing Committee President Carlos Neuhaus. They were joined by Iván Dibós, Peruvian IOC member, and Pedro del Rosario, from the Peruvian Olympic Committee.

Thomas Bach highlighted the fact that the meeting was being held in Peru, as he has good memories of the 2017 IOC Assembly, also held in this country. “I am so excited about being here in Lima once again thanks to Panam Sports. The Americas are now at the heart of the sports world after hosting the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games, the 2017 IOC Assembly and the 2016 Olympic Games. All of them have gone down in history. I’m sure that the Pan American Games will become a milestone in the Americas,” he stated.

“We have to look at the future of the Olympic movement and reflect upon its changes. I’d ask Peruvians to feel proud of these Games, because they’ll be a true celebration that will bring their country together in a way that only sports can manage. Let’s all play in Lima 2019. We haven’t forgotten that Lima witnessed the historic double election of Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 to host the Olympic Games, and we’re thankful for that. Peru has a rich history in sports. These Games will be a starting point for reinforcing sports in the country and develop new Olympic athletes. We thank the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, the mayor of Lima and the Olympic family in Peru,” he added.

To end his speech, Thomas Bach declared the Assembly opened. “I wish all Olympic Committees success with the athletes from the Americas at Tokyo 2020. It is an honor for me to declare the Assembly opened,” he concluded.

PANAM SPORTS

Meanwhile, Panam Sports President Neven Ilic confessed feeling excited about living the Pan American Games in Lima. “The truth is, I’m excited to see that day come. I must thank my friend, Carlos Neuhaus, and thank Thomas Bach for coming to Lima after his stay in Japan. At the beginning, two years ago, we were worried about the Games, but we put all our trust on the team led by Carlos Neuhaus. They’ve done amazing work on the road to this celebration. It was a job well done. The athletes are happy at the Village and the venues are world-class. We hope these Games turn out to be the best in history,” said Ilic.

“The road that Lima 2019 shows us is one of constant growth. We’re all part of these Games. We’re a family and that is a big task. The starting point in Lima is fantastic. I want to congratulate Peru for all the work done to host amazing Games,” concluded the Panam Sports president.

MAYOR OF LIMA

In turn, the Mayor of Lima, Jorge Muñoz, welcomed the visitors to the Pan American Games and the Panam Sports Assembly. “Let me welcome you to Lima. May you enjoy the Games and treasure the memories of your visit. I do hope you can come back soon. Enjoy our city and our gastronomy. I do hope Lima makes you feel at home. May you become part of the success of these Games. ‘Let’s all play’ our part in this. We want you to return to your countries as ambassadors of the Perú Brand and the Lima Brand too. I wish you all the best of success,” stated Muñoz.

The Assembly featured presentations by the Lima 2019 Coordination, Technical and Medical Committees in relation to their work during the organization of the Pan American Games in Peru.

 ABOUT LIMA 2019

The Opening Ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games will be held at the National Stadium this Friday, July 26. This continental event will gather 6680 athletes from 41 countries and delegations from the Americas.

There will be 17 days of competitions and ceremonies between July 26 and August 11, 2019, which will take place in 14 districts of Lima and Callao. Some venues are the VIDENA, Villa María Sports Center, Callao Regional Village, Villa El Salvador Sports Center, Punta Rocas Surfing Sports Center, among others.

The Lima 2019 Pan American Games will include 39 sports and 61 disciplines, in which athletes will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals. A total of 21 disciplines are qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Photo gallery (click here)

Official Lima 2019 spokesperson, Carlos Manuel Lazarte, reported this morning that the Pan American Torch has already completed its journey through Peru’s main cities. He added that it will soon arrive in Lima to light the cauldron at the National Stadium as part of the Opening Ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. 

During a press conference, he highlighted that over 900 Peruvians have been Pan American torchbearers over the 23 days the journey has lasted after starting in Mexico. 

Regarding the Opening Ceremony, Lazarte reiterated that it will be a spectacular event that will showcase Peruvian culture in relation to sports, and that it will be broadcast worldwide. 

He informed that more than 2000 journalists have been accredited to cover the Pan American Games, which will officially start on Friday July 26 after an impressive ceremony at the National Stadium. 

Lazarte explained that the Pan American Games organizing committee is very happy and satisfied about the response of athletes and participants, mainly the 12,124 volunteers who are making a huge effort and carrying out work in an all-new context, as this will undoubtedly boost volunteer culture in Peru. 

At the same time, he mentioned that the mobile app for press transportation is already up and running. The app can be downloaded from IOS and Android devices and it will bus transportation schedules from the Lima Convention Center, located in San Borja, to the various competition locations.