Everything must come to an end. They say that farewells are sad, but the one we lived today at the National Sports Village (VIDENA) during the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Closing Ceremony was quite the opposite. The Peruvian cumbia group Hermanos Yaipén threw a grand party, where its popular songs were sang and danced by both Peruvian and foreign spectators who fell for their sound.

As soon as the group appeared, the over 5000 spectators at the VIDENA started screaming and singing their hits. The first song they played was a mix of Luis Miguel, followed by “La incondicional” and “Tengo todo excepto a ti”, songs that made women sing to the top of their lungs.

Besides, “Tiki Taka” and “A llorar a otra parte” made the spectators stand up from their seats. Some of them were seen dancing on the stadium screens. Para athletes enjoyed each song. They hugged each other, and some even shed tears of emotion for the end of this event, which became a meeting of nations rather than a competition.

Juan Gabriel’s mix gave people some time to sit down and sing along with Donnnie Yaipén, a young singer who is admired and followed by thousands of teenagers. For sure, the most expected song of the night was: “Que levante la mano”. The chorus “Que levante la mano, quien no lloró un adiós, que levante la mano, quien no sufrió por amor” was sang by all spectators at the VIDENA Athletics Stadium.

The international multisport event ended on a high note after bringing together 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries who competed in 17 sports and 18 disciplines (1247 men and 643 women) from August 23 to September 1, 2019. The 139 Peruvian Para athletes became the best hosts ever, just like the Peruvian fanbase that never stopped cheering on all participants of this continental celebration. Peru raised its hand to say: Good bye, Lima 2019!

Hemanos Yaipén

It is the most important cumbia orchestra in the country, with almost 20 years in the music industry. It is now part of The Orchard’s record catalog, and it is the first Peruvian music group to sign a promotion agreement through Lupa Media with SER Tv in Argentina. Their musical videos have over 250 million views on their digital platforms.

The Lima 2019 Parapan American Games have been synonymous with tough and inspiring competitions which have shown the courage and determination of the Americas’ top Para athletes. They have also been a constant display of the integration of the Americas.

Such sense of Latin American unity could be felt during the Parapan American Games closing ceremony, held this evening at the Athletics Stadium in the National Sports Village (VIDENA), located in San Luis. This was evidenced when Eva Ayllón—one of the leading figures of Peruvian criolla music, to be awarded a Grammy award for musical excellence next November—appeared on stage.

She then sang “Canción con todos,” an anthem to the unity of the different Latin American countries as a strong block, with a common goal of self-improvement and hope. This song was made popular by the late Argentinian singer Mercedes Sosa.

The end of this song, which meant the beginning of the grand finale of the Parapan American Games, was followed by the appearance of the cauldron and the two children who were named symbols of the Games. They held a lit torch which they extinguished. At that very moment, Eva Ayllón pointed at the cauldron, and the flame extinguished.

The Lima 2019 Parapan American Games closing ceremony continued with an extraordinary music show by Eva Ayllón and a cast of talented Peruvian cajón performers.

Known as the “Queen of Landó”, she boasts a career spanning 49 years, over 30 music records and nine Latin Grammy nominations. As a proud ambassador of “Marca Peru”, she tours tirelessly bringing Peruvian culture to every corner of the world. Thanks to the versatility of her powerful voice, she has performed in different genres.

It is worth noting that renowned Italian live show company Balich WorldWide Shows was behind the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the Pan American Games opening and closing ceremonies. The creative director of the closing ceremony was renowned stage producer and director Juan Carlos Fisher.

The Parapan American Games ended with a spectacular and colorful ceremony full of fireworks, music and dance. The ceremony brought together 1890 Para athletes from 30 countries of the continent.

The closing ceremony, held in the Athletics Stadium at VIDENA, was based on the concept of the celebration of the human spirit and the Parapan American values: inspiration, determination, courage and equality.

The event began with a display of fireworks that dazzled the sky of Lima, this wonderful and colorful show was fully enjoyed by the spectators.

After that, the band Laguna Pai delighted the public with its music, which is a fusion of rock and reggae, loaded with a deep message on topics such as conservation, love, honesty, happiness and resilience.

Next, the flags of the 30 participating nations entered the sports venue and an athlete representative offered a Milco figurine to the volunteer representatives, as a way to thank them for their invaluable contribution to the Games.

Afterwards, a video was played in recognition of the volunteers’ excellent work in this sports event. A mosaic made with the faces of hundreds of volunteers was also displayed on the backdrop of the stage.

Immediately, Desirée Núñez del Prado and Javier Morales, marinera world champions, performed this traditional and representative dance of our country.

After that, the folk indie band We The Lion took the stage to perform the best of their musical repertoire. Immediately after, a video with the most emotional and exciting moments from the ten days of extraordinary sport achievements was presented.

During the official ceremony, the President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus, made a positive balance of the Parapan American Games and at the same time he mentioned the values that these sports competitions leave in the Peruvian society.

The President of the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC), Julio César Ávila, thanked Peru for the successful organization and development of these Games, and expressed that he will take home a good impression of our country.

After his speech, the APC flag went down to the beat of the Paralympic anthem and the Lima Deputy Mayor, Miguel Romero, handed it over to the President of the Americas Paralympic Committee who, in turn, handed it to the Chile Deputy Secretary of Sports, Andrés Otero.

The National Anthem of Chile was performed by Isidora Guzmán, the former child symbol of Chile’s 2015 Telethon. After that, Los Jaivas—a legendary Chilean band—took the stage to the delight of the audience.

The renowned singer Eva Ayllón introduced the two children who starred in the Parapan American Opening Ceremony and, at the same time, performed her song “Canción con todos.” At this moment, the cauldron flame was gradually extinguished and Eva Ayllón continued performing on stage accompanied by a cajon performance.

To bring down the curtain on this majestic closing ceremony, the cumbia orchestra Los Hermanos Yaipén set the stage for the end of the celebration with their contagious songs that made the Para athletes and public dance at the VIDENA.

It is important to mention that this final event was in charge of the Peruvian creative director, Juan Carlos Fisher, whose theatrical productions have been appreciated by more than one million people. Among them are: el Hombre Almohada, Rojo, La Cage aux Folles, Bicho, Hairspray, Full Monty, Corazón Normal, Incendios, Mamma Mia!, Las Brujas de Salem, Toc Toc, Agosto and Billy Elliot, Pantaleon y las Visitadoras and El Padre.

“Peru had never done anything like Lima 2019 before, but it was a complete success thanks to all of us,” said the President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee (COPAL), Carlos Neuhaus, in the Parapan American Games Closing Ceremony held at the National Sports Village (VIDENA).

In an emotional farewell speech, the COPAL President highlighted that the people exceeded all the expectations he had a few days ago, when he mentioned that everyone would embrace and cheer for the Parapan American Games, just as we did for the Pan American Games, and that we would celebrate the incredible Para athletes that came to our country.

 “We have welcomed the Games and incredible athletes like no other city has done before. Thank you for believing in us, for your support and your passion. Tomorrow, we will look towards the future. It will be a bright future for Peru, united by these Games, inspired by these athletes and by what we have accomplished at Lima 2019: a legacy for everyone,” he claimed.

Neuhaus described all Para athletes of the Americas as extraordinary and thanked them for opening the hearts of all Peruvians and fascinating the continent with their display of skills, which many people can only dream of, and with an example of values that we should all strive to.

“Tonight, we celebrate one amazing month (August) filled with sports that ends today, with the best and most important exhibition of Para athletes Peru has ever seen,” he added.

Also, he stressed that the Para athletes have fostered values like determination, equality, inspiration and courage, and have inspired us more than ever. “You have taught us to face adversities. From today, there should be no excuses; we should exceed our limits,” he said very excited.

At these Games, 175 records have been broken, and nine of them are new world records. Peru has won 15 medals, beating the numbers from all previous editions. In total, Para athletes in 13 Para sports have qualified to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Neuhaus was also very satisfied because Lima 2019 has sold more tickets than any other Parapan American Games in history. Also, almost 170 thousand people have attended competitions, more than at all the previous Parapan American Games. Twelve thousand tickets have gone to children in vulnerable situations, who benefited from our “solidary ticket” program, and thanks to that, they were part of this sports celebration.

He also thanked the Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra, ministers, the Lima Mayor Jorge Muñoz, congressmen, mayors, and governors of Peru. Additionally, the COPAL President gave thanks to the National Police, the Armed Forces, the Department of Protection of Citizen’s Rights, and the sponsors who made these Games happen.

Likewise, he thanked the extraordinary volunteers, who were the best representatives of Lima 2019 and the best hosts of the world; the excellent team that worked on this great project, because they gave it all to make this a complete success; the citizens of Lima; and the fellow Peruvians. “Let’s go, Peru! Let’s keep playing!” he ended.

Lima 2019 volunteers received a token of gratitude and appreciation for their invaluable contribution and work during the Pan American and Parapan American Games. Such recognition took place during the closing ceremony at the National Sports Village (VIDENA), with the packed grandstands.

A photo collage with the faces of all the volunteers was prepared and displayed as background of the VIDENA stage, as part of this token of appreciation to the volunteers, who in white and yellow uniform spent their time and generous dedication. This collage was a fair tribute to their contribution to the success of the Lima 2019 Games.

On behalf of the thousands of national and international volunteers, the 62-year-old Para swimmer Liduvina Sánchez Perales and the 20-year-old Jorge Luis Farfán Vila were honored.

During the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games closing ceremony, both volunteers received one Milco statuette in gratitude for their valuable contribution to the Games which was accompanied by a heartfelt standing ovation from the attendees.

Liduvina Sánchez contracted poliomyelitis when she was one year old. She is a Para athlete that has been practicing Para swimming since she was 58 years old. She is an example of perseverance as there is nothing impossible when you have faith and you are confident. She won three bronze medals at the 2019 International Loterías Caixa Open Championships, held in Brazil.

Without a doubt, Liduvina decided to be part of the Lima 2019 volunteer Program as soon as she heard about the call. She was an enthusiastic volunteer during the Pan American and Parapan American Games and she performed different roles supporting the participating athletes.

Being a Lima 2019 volunteer has been an unforgettable experience for Liduvina, one that will remain forever in her mind as she spent time with athletes from different countries.

Another remarkable case is that of Jorge Luis Farfán Vila, a 20-year-old volunteer with an impairment, student of Communication Sciences and one of the Games’ official uniform model in the Peru Moda event last April.

Jorge Luis, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy and uses an electric wheelchair, decided to apply as soon as he saw the call in social media and was one of the chosen ones. Being a Lima 2019 volunteer was a great life experience for him so he is grateful for the opportunity to be part of that legacy for the country.

Another anecdote he will remember forever is the talk and photograph he shared with Eve Jobs, daughter of Apple founder Steve Jobs at the Army Equestrian School in La Molina. Jobs’ young daughter seemed very thankful at that time for the role performed by the volunteers in favor of the competitors.

Liduvina and Jorge Luis are just two examples of the many examples of life, perseverance, enthusiasm and joy that the volunteers shared during their self-less service to the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games.

VOLUNTEERS FIGURES AT THE END OF LIMA 2019

The Lima 2019 volunteer program was the biggest program of our history, in a way never seen before, with an unprecedented registration and mobilization. Training process of national and international volunteers started on October 27 last year in eight regions of the country: San Martín, Ica, Tacna, Arequipa, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Piura and Lima.

The Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games had volunteers of all ages, even seniors, and with a type of impairment. 

A total of 11,900 volunteers participated in the Pan American Games, including young people between the ages of 18 and 25, minors between 16 and 17 years old, senior citizens, volunteers with an impairment, as well as men and women from different parts of the world such as Argentina, Brazil and the United States that came to Peru to offer their self-less and ad honorem support.

As for the Parapan American Games, the figure was 5900 volunteers, distributed throughout the different areas and sports venues in important operational positions.

Furthermore, the volunteers with any type of impairment also provided a tremendous support, with a total of 183 volunteers, 95 women and 88 men.

With this huge legacy and massive participation of the volunteers, which has never seen before in Peru, we can conclude that the assigned mission was completed and these valuable people almost anonymously showed us that when we work together, we can accomplish great things, changing the way the society thinks.

The atmosphere was impressive. The Para badminton competitions at Lima 2019 were coming to an end. On the court, Peruvian Pilar Jáuregui was facing off Canadian Yuka Chokyu in the WH2 class (person in a wheelchair with mobility in the trunk).

The first set was a contested affair. Chokyu, who has taken part in three Paralympic Games (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008), made things hard for Jáuregui. However, the Peruvian player managed to display her top game, particularly in the second set (21-1).

“This was our goal. This achievement is the result of our double training and all our sacrifice. I never expected such encouragement from the fans. They’ve made all this special and unique,” stated Pilar.

Proud Parents

Martín Vizcarra, President of Peru, and Carlos Neuhaus, President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, were on the grandstands. Only a few meters away, a couple of proud parents were unable to hold back their excitement.

They were Pilar’s parents: Raquel and Gerardo. “It’s been amazing to see Pilar win on home soil, at this beautiful venue. It’s been wonderful,” her mother stated.

“What we parents have to go through with our children is really tough. But we have to carry on and support them to pursue their dreams. It’s impossible to put how we feel into words. It's a feeling of pride and love for our country,” her father stressed.

“This medal belongs to them, to my family, because they’ve always supported me,” the Lima 2019 Ambassador said.

Presidential Medal

The medal ceremony featured Peruvian President, Martín Vizcarra. Pilar received her medal and left a message for him

“I hope he continues to support Para athletes because we’ve shown that we can succeed. I’m sure that, after the Games, many kids are going to feel like taking up sports,” the medalist ended.

The month of September starts with the closing of the competitions of the most important sports event in the continent. In this framework, Peru will seek to win his lasts medals and close its Parapan American participation with a grand finale.

It will be the acclaimed Lima 2019 Ambassador, Pilar Jáuregui—who comes from relentlessly defeating Cuba and United States—who will try win against the Canadian Yuka Chokyu in the women’s singles event, category WH2. Pilar will seek to win the gold medal for Peru in the Sports Center 3 at the National Sports Village, starting at 08:00.

On the same day, Brazil will compete against United States in an impressive final in which the winner of the gold medal in the men’s singles, category SS6, will be defined. In the same way, the Brazilian team will compete against Canada in the mixed doubles event, category SL3-SU5.

Likewise, in Para cycling road, Peru will be represented by the experienced Lima 2019 Ambassador, Israel Hilario, who has recently acquired a gold medal, and by the outstanding Para athlete Yuber Pichihua, who won a silver medal in the Paracycling Pan American Circuit held in Brazil. Both will seek to reach gold in the final of the road race, category C1-3.

The competition, which will gather the most outstanding Para cyclist of the continent, will begin at 10:00 in the Costa Verde circuit in San Miguel. In this same venue, starting at 08:00, the final of the mixed road cycling event will take place in the H1-2, H3-5, T1-2 categories, among others.

Finally, the Villa El Salvador Sports Center will host, starting at 09:00, the exciting finals of boccia, in the following categories: pairs BC3, teams BC1/BC2, and pairs BC4.

Thus, the challenges of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games culminate, with the possibility that Peru reaches the podium again and, consequently, improves its position in the medal table looking to leave a Para sports legacy that will serve as inspiration for future generations.

Almost six years ago he witnessed how Lima was chosen to host the Pan American and Parapan American Games. This time, the stage was different. The Sports Center 3 was full of people to cheer the Para badminton final for the gold medal in the men’s SL3 category.

Pedro Pablo de Vinatea looked at the grandstands and raised his hand to greet all those present. He knew it was the crucial moment to achieve his goal of winning the medal, but first he had to beat the Brazilian Zuffo.

Even the President of the Peru, Martín Vizcarra, was present in the grandstands, next to the President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus, and the President of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons. “La Blanquirroja” was also present and gave all its support.

At the end, Pedro Pablo achieved his goal, he beat Zuffo 2-0 and won the long-awaited medal. It was like that October 11, 2013 in Toronto, where he managed to bring the venue to our country. “In that moment, it was a wish, but throughout these six years, many things happened. And although I dreamt it, I realized it was possible and that I had to go step by step, that was the recipe that worked for me. This is more important than any other championship, than any world championship,” said Pedro Pablo.

It was president Martín Vizcarra who awarded him with the medal, a special moment for him. “The match finished and I began to connect with people. Throughout the game I felt the energy, I felt the cheers of the fanbase, that made me score some points,” he added.

Excited, with the medal on his neck and the cuchimilco in one hand, Pedro Pablo sent a message for all those who identify with him: “they can also win, they can also compete, which is what I have been doing for a long time.”

The Parapan American Games were not only a sporting and organizational success, but they also generated a lot of expectation in several disciplines. This afternoon, the Sports Center 3 at VIDENA showed a full house again in the final won by Pedro Pablo de Vinatea, in an unprecedented sporting environment for Para badminton.

This support chain, which helps to promote Para sports in Peru, was always one of the goals that De Vinatea pursued. However, this should only serve as a starting point for improving the conditions for athletes with an impairment. The mother of the Parapan American champion, Rosario Estrada de Vinatea, expressed how she felt with this experience.

“The public has captured the love that Pedro Pablo has for his sport and this is just the beginning of what he always dreamed of. He always says that each triumph of his teammates makes him feel like a winner, because he has really connected with the people who leave everything to reach their goals. This is an example for all society, because it makes us unite around the sport that gives us all happiness,” she said.

The President of Peru, Martín Vizcarra, was among the group of spectators, while the cheers were in charge of ‘La Blanquirroja’. In fact, its members were present in most of the competitions in which Peruvian Para athletes participated. Jair Villanueva, the founder of ‘La Blanquirroja’, explained the reasons behind this mobilization.

“This movement that was seen in Lima 2019 is part of what we call Peruvian revolution, which is part of the culture of support for all the Peruvian athletes we are promoting. We want to be the fanbase of all Peruvians and this is just the beginning, because we are planning to continue at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,” said Villanueva.

The great Callao Regional Sports Village, one of the most important and impressive sport venues of Lima 2019, hosted a glorious session of Para taekwondo on its last day of competition.

Throughout two sessions filled with adrenaline, the first from 09:00 to 12:45 and the second from 15:00 to 18:30, an unconditional audience encouraged our representatives, Shiroy Rentería (men’s k44 -75 kg category) and José Navarro (men’s K44 +75 kg category), as well as the other representatives of the continent with great enthusiasm.

Rentería managed to dispute, without success, the bronze medal against Argentinian Juan Samorano, after he was defeated 25-03 by the Costa Rican Andrés Molina in his first fight. However, in the repechage round, he beat USA’s Michael Kacer 27-15.

The Para athletes who finally reached the medal table: Mexican Juan García (gold), Cuban Adrián García (silver), Argentinian Juan Samorano (bronze), and Costa Rican Andrés Molina (bronze).

As for the category in which Navarro participated, the ones who reached the podium were: USA’s Evan Medell (gold), Mexicans Francisco Pedroza (silver) and Edgar Torres (bronze), and USA’s Johnny Birch (bronze).

In the women’s K44 +58 kg category, which was also disputed today, the Para athletes who won medals were: Mexican Daniela Martínez (gold), and Brazilians Debora Bezerra (silver) and Leylianne Samara (bronze).

It is worth mentioning that in these Lima 2019 Games, Para taekwondo had its Parapan American debut; only one year before being included as a Paralympic sport in Tokyo 2020 for the first time.

In Lima 2019, the Para taekwondo competitions gathered a total of 47 Para athletes from 16 countries. The medals won by Angélica Espinoza (gold) and William Fernández (bronze) stay at home.