The last meters of the race were shocking. Laura Galván sped with all her strength in order to leave Jessica Marie O´Connell behind and win the gold medal. 

At the age of 27, the Mexican athlete, born in Guanajuato, was only five seconds away from the Pan American record to give Mexico a new god medal at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. “I trained really hard and the strategy was to endure and resist, and that’s how things happened,” stated Galván. 

The atmosphere—cold due to the weather—turned warm thanks to the continuous cheers of the audience at the Athletics Stadium of the VIDENA. “There was a lot of emotion and encouragement to Peruvian athletes, but I avoided the distraction and focused on the race,” stated the Mexican athlete.  

Her nails were decorated with the Mexican flag and she showed them smiling along with her gold medal, “I got my nails done in Mexico before coming, the flags are a way to represent my country and be able to win the medal,” emphasized Galván, who also added that the ceramic Milco “is a beautiful present, typical from here and it’s a proof that the Games are spectacular.” Did you know that Virgin Islands won her first won medal at the Lima 2019 Games?  

Peruvian Saida Meneses broke her own mark and established a new South American record in the under-23 category with a time of 15.47.16. “I learned that I must use another type of strategy when facing incredible runners. Even though I broke my record, I was left with the desire to win the medal. However, I know more opportunities will come,” stated the Peruvian athlete. 

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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Marco Vilca started in the last positions, but little by little the “greyhound” beat all his opponents, placed third in his series and qualified to the 800 m final. 

Vilca, considered the best South American U20 athlete, said that it was a high-level competition.  “My opponents are highly experienced; they have set Olympic and world records. The difference of years of training is obvious; in a few years, I could stand side by side with them,” said Vilca.  

“I run the whole race in the second lane and that exhausted me, but the support of people helped me a lot. I am working hard to set a new record. Today, I couldn’t make it for one second, so I hope to improve it at the final,” said the athlete. 

Vilca will compete in the 800 m final this Saturday at 14:55 at the VIDENA Athletics Stadium.  

There is nothing impossible when dreams are big. More than a motivational phrase applied to the sport, the Peruvian men’s kata team uses it for life. Carlos Lam, John Trebejo and Oliver Del Castillo have won many gold medals in the Olympic cycle, but none like the one earned at home with the support of thousands of people. This will remain in the history of Peruvian sport. 

The tears in their eyes, the sincere hugs with their parents, who were in the first row, and the hundreds of memories in their minds, closed on a high note this wonderful afternoon. The results of the seven judges declared them as winners with a score of 25.48 out of 24.20 from Mexico, and the emotions overflow. 

The four-minute routine of the Peruvians were applauded by the audience at the Villa El Salvador Sports Center and athletes felt that energy. “It’s a unique experience to win a medal at home. In fact, we were shaking when we heard the applauses for us and my teammates who also got medals on this unforgettable day,” said Carlos Lam. 

Meanwhile, John Trebejo thanked all the people who played a significant role in this achievement. “It’s been many years of training. In every competition we participated in, we always dreamed of this moment at home. Everyone plays a significant role, especially our sensei Jimmy Moreno, who trained us for each of our presentations on the tatami,” he added. 

Lam, Trebejo and Del Castillo have been part of the team since they were very young. They have won South American and Pan American championships, and open international tournaments, but none like the golden medal earned at the Villa El Salvador Sports Center. They feel they have touched the heaven with their hands. 

“Dance of Diversity” is the name for the closing ceremony of the sports event that has united the countries of the Americas for 17 days. 

The closing ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games will take place on Sunday, August 11, at 19:00, and the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee provided details of this vibrant event to be held at the National Stadium. 

The COPAL President, Carlos Neuhaus, expressed mixed feelings because the Pan American Games will end in a few days: “As all good things come to an end, this event will be fantastic. We have a great surprise, just as the opening ceremony dazzled everyone.” 

In this press conference, Gian Marco was also introduced as the closing ceremony headliner, and expressed his gratitude for the invitation: “We have the challenge to surpass the opening ceremony. We have prepared a special show that I hope people like. I also have a surprise for everyone at the end of the show,” he said. 

The closing ceremony is led by a talented production team from Lima 2019 and the prestigious Italian company Balich WorldWide Shows, an international leader in the live entertainment industry, which oversaw the Lima 2019 opening ceremony and the Torino 2006, Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 opening ceremonies. 

Nikos Lagousakos, creative director of the closing ceremony, said that this is the thirteenth ceremony he performs and working in Peru has been very special. “I’m impressed with this beautiful land and its over than three thousand dances, and that’s the great diversity of Peru, so we’ll continue with the dance in this ceremony.  

Peruvian dances will be the main artistic shows at the ceremony to close on a high note this sports event. Fabricio Varela, director of the National Folkloric Ballet, said that: 

“As a Peruvian, it’s a great satisfaction to be at this ceremony and to showcase the Peruvian culture. We have different cultures and traditions and that diversity makes us bigger.”   

The costume designs are in charge of the talented Pepe Corzo, who oversaw the design of 1000 unique costumes. While Lucho Quequezana continues in charge of the musical direction and the renowned Dj Shushupe will set the pace for the ceremony that will seek to make the athletes dance before bidding farewell to Lima. 

Chilean duo Power Peralta formed by brothers Gabriel and Raúl Peralta, and the singer Francisca Valenzuela will perform at the ceremony, representing Chile, which will host the “Santiago 2023 Pan American Games” 

Fact: 

About 955 artists on stage, of which 893 are volunteers, will portray the ancient culture of Peru through their dances. The National Folkloric Ballet, directed by Fabricio Varela, will have a main role and will delight with its talent the 50 thousand attendees and the million viewers who will follow the live broadcast. 

Photo Gallery (click here) 

A Peruvian flag was thrown from the stands, and he held close to his chest. Mariano Wong was excited for his victory at Lima 2019. He screamed and celebrated this bronze medal with the spectators of the Villa El Salvador Sports Center. 

The Peruvian karateka defeated the Mexican Waldo Ramírez in individual kata, collecting the 27th medal for Peru in the medal table. His family, who also rooted for him from the stands, praise his persistence and discipline on the tatami. His sensei Akio Tamashiro hugged him too. 

“I actually didn’t see the score. I just went along with the people’s excitement. At first, I tried to stay calm, but I couldn’t after hugging my family who were on the first row. Winning at home was a personal challenge for me, and I didn’t want to let you down. I’ve given up so many thing to reach the podium at a Pan American Games,” said Mariano Wong. 

It is the first time this karateka, who dreams of claiming the Olympic title, has participated in the Pan American Games. He confessed that the joy he felt by representing his country while playing at home was out of this world: “It was the best competition ever because I had the support of my people at all times. You could hear them clapping and that made me feel so strong. I lost the gold medal, but I couldn’t give up so easily because I was still competing. So, I earned he bronze.” 

Once again, karate brought glory to Peruvian sport in an unforgettable afternoon at Villa El Salvador Sports Center.  The fans at the Lima Sur precinct celebrated every routine performed by the Peruvian athletes. Ingrid Aranda defeated the Brazilian Nicole Mota and won the bronze medal, and the women’s team formed by Saida Salcedo, Sol Romaní and Andrea Almarza.

As soon as the competition ended on the tatami, Aranda raised her hands, with an amazing expression of joy on her face and ran to stand to hug her mother. The seven judges gave her the victory before a standing ovation from the crowd.

Likewise, before the individual bout, it was reported that the Costa Rican delegation would not compete and was disqualified. The Peruvian team placed second in its group and had no rival for the bronze medal match.

As next host of the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, the President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, arrived in Peru to be part of the Lima 2019 multi-sports celebration.

President Piñera will be entrusted with the organization of the next Pan American Games to be held in 2023 in Santiago de Chile. The the Lima 2019 Closing Ceremony will take place this Sunday, August 11, at the National Stadium.

Piñera arrived, with anticipation, to enjoy up close this multi-sports experience. For this reason, he attended the Costa Verde venue to congratulate his compatriot María José Moya, who won the gold medal in speed skating today, August 9. He congratulated her on her brilliant achievement and even gave himself the pleasure of wearing her medal, as well as biting it, as is the tradition of athletes.

President of Chile stayed at the venue to enjoy the exciting BMX cycling finals, where Colombian Mariana Pajón, the star of this discipline, won the gold medal, like the Ecuadorian Alfredo Campo, in the men’s event.

Then, he visited other Lima 2019 venues to watch the athletics competitions.