Olympic prelude. For many athletes, the Pan American Games became their tickets to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. This has resulted in a high level of competition, according to Lima 2019 spokesperson Carlos Manuel Lazarte. 

“Lima 2019 has a record number of qualifying disciplines for Tokyo 2020. This has appealed to athletes of a higher competitive level, because they have come to Lima to achieve their qualification. Qualification in modern pentathlon is already defined and today, either Brazil or Argentina will qualify for the Olympic Games in handball,” he stated. 

Carlos Manuel Lazarte also highlighted the fact that Peruvian runner Cristhian Pacheco has qualified for the Olympic Games, even setting a new Pan American record for the men's marathon. 

He also congratulated Natalia Cuglievan for her gold medal in water skiing, tricks event. At only 22, this is the second time she has achieved this feat, as she previously picked up the gold medal at Toronto 2015. 

“Now that Peru has set this historical record of four gold medals, we expect more success to keep the trend,” he said. 

It is important to mention that Peru is ranked eighth in the Lima 2019 overall medal tally with four gold, two silver and two bronze medals. The USA leads the table, with a total of 44 medals, 17 of which are gold.

Legendary American athlete Carl Lewis, nine-time Olympic champion, eight-time world champion and gold medalist at the Indianapolis 1987 Pan American Games, will come to Lima to watch the Games. As a special guest of Panam Sports, he will arrive in Lima on August 4 and will be in charge of awarding medals for the 100 meters and men’s long jump. 

According to a press release by Panam Sports, the athlete accepted the invitation made by its President, Neven Ilic. 

“We’re glad that Carl Lewis will come to see the Pan American Games. Without a doubt, he’ll be our Guest of Honor. He will take part in the medal ceremonies for the 100 meters and high jump, which were the events that led him to fame throughout his career. The fact that he’s interested in coming evidences the appeal and importance of these Games across the continent,” stated Ilic. 
 
Carl Lewis will stay in Lima until Saturday, August 10. In his six-day trip, the American athlete will have the chance to learn about the city attractions and enjoy the world-class level of the athletics competitions at VIDENA.

The Ministry of Defense, —through the Peruvian Army, Navy and Air Force—showcases its logistical and personnel capabilities, employed in military operations and disaster risk management in one of the Culturaymi stands because culture is something that they must also defend.

The stand located in Parque de la Exposición is a central spot within the fair, as hundreds of people of all ages can appreciate the Army's vehicles and equipment, which includes—among its most spectacular pieces—an Army's J8 Jeep, a Navy's Turbo 2000 tubular vehicle, an Air Force's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a rotary wing drone.

There are also first aid and tactical backpacks used by the armed forces in VRAEM, radios, military communication equipment, ropes, harnesses, stretchers, and an equipment with capacity for up to one ton of weight, which can be launched up to 8 kilometers high, from a cargo plane, and has an internal GPS that can be monitored from the plane, with 150 m MOE.

People of all ages and sizes can try on the equipment used by the members of the Air Forces, which is adaptable. They can also get on the dune buggies to take pictures.

Furthermore, members of the Special Forces Group (GRUFE) of the Air Force, as well as members of the Rapid Disaster Intervention Company (CIRD) of the Army and the Navy are present at the stand.

There is also a board with the heroic faces of the fifteen athletes and Para athletes of the Armed Forces participating in the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games: Ángel Adriel (fencing); Frank Nolberto (judo); Brianda Rivera, Liz Carrión, and Kevin Altamirano (shooting); José Luis Casas and Carlos Felipa (Para athletics); among others. 

"We aim to show the public part of our capabilities to accomplish the missions that the Peruvian Government entrusts us so that people feel identified with their Armed Forces. Within the military life, the physical condition is critical. It is part of our training: 50% sport and 50% discipline. Sport gives us the ability to resist and endure adverse situations such as the one lived at the VRAEM," explains Captain Gutiérrez, member of the defense and special operations division of the Peruvian Air Forces.

The cultural program will take place until August 10, as part of the Pan American Games, and then, from August 24 to 31, during the Parapan American Games.

Peru’s hopes to win a new medal were in Hernán Viera. The strongest man in Peru competed in the 109 kg category, and that is why he wanted to make an excellent presentation. However, the sports tapes in his arms showed that he was competing with some pain.

Despite this, Viera did his best to make it to the podium, but his opponents were also willing to do anything, such as Ecuador’s Jorge Arroyo who set a new Pan American record with 190 kg in snatch.

Peru’s Viera managed to lift 140 kg in snatch and 180 kg in clean and jerk, for a total of 320 kg. At all times, Viera had the support of the Peruvian fans. However, many Venezuelan fans who arrived at Coliseo Mariscal Cáceres de Chorrillos to cheer on their athletes also encouraged our weightlifter out of gratitude.

In the end, the judge’s decision was not easy. American Wesley Kitts was awarded the gold medal after lifting a total of 389 kg, one kg more than Venezuela’s Jesús González, who was awarded silver. The bronze medal was awarded to Jorge Arroyo, who lifted a total of 385 kg after setting a new record in snatch. For clean and jerk, Arroyo got injured after the first attempt and was not able to lift more than 195 kg. This way he made it to the podium with the bronze medal.

Hernán Viera reached sixth place and was not able to bring joy to Peru. Weightlifting competitions at Mariscal Cáceres Coliseum in Chorrillos finish tomorrow. Attendees were able to see the best weightlifters of the Americas; some of them are junior world champions and Pan American champions. Angie Castro will be the last Peruvian weightlifter to compete in the 87 kg category. She hopes to win the second medal in this sport after the bronze medal won by Luis Bardalez. Women’s +89 kg and men’s +109 kg competitions will be held tomorrow.

A large crowd moved through the Stadium of the National University of San Marcos just minutes before the first day of competition of the U-22 Peruvian team against Uruguay. They headed towards the entrance of the stadium, singing the famous songs that have made them the best fans in the world. 

The stands of the remodeled Stadium of the National University of San Marcos were full of fans dressed in red and white.  

Regardless of the final result, the fans will always support the Peruvian team. They rely on the ability and skills of the team led by Nolberto Solano.  

Therefore, they cheered on the eleven football players, who would give their best.  

In this way, Peruvian fans claimed their position as hosts of the most important multi-sports event of the Americas. 

They come from different corners of Lima, motivated by the passion for the Venezuelan softball team. The distance that they must travel to Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center does not matter when there is so much love for the team. Several families live in nearby districts, but others must travel for hours, like a group that came all the way from Independencia to see their three cousins compete at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.

Because of them, softball games are more than just two-hour encounters. Even at the end of the seven innings, Venezuelan pride is present. The most impressive moment took place on July 28, in the match against Peru, as more than 2000 people took part in an amusing fan duel, which ended up in fans and players singing the Venezuelan national anthem. It was something that reached the heart of the team.

“It makes us proud to see many Venezuelans in Lima supporting us. They sang the national anthem to us and that gave us goosebumps. We even wanted to cry, so we rewarded their support by singing along. I feel excited but also sad because they cannot have the future they want in our country, so they had to travel far away,’’ said batter Jorge Lima.

Then, Ángel Herrera added: “We are playing these matches at Lima 2019 as if we were at home with all that support, and somehow we give back by bringing them a little piece of the country, the homes they left behind in Venezuela. The children who don't play baseball play softball. That makes them love our sport. We are grateful.’’

SOFTBALL AT LIMA 2019

The Peruvian softball team will participate in the Pan American Games for the first time. Six teams will play in a round-robin preliminary round to advance to the next stage. The sport is governed by the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) regulations. The game consists of seven innings, where each team alternates batting and fielding. Finally, the team that scores the most runs wins.

Here is the rest of the men's softball calendar: Show them your support and buy your tickets at lima2019.pe/tickets:

The seventh competition day of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games promises to be full of action, as the most important athletes in the Americas will do their best to position their delegations at the top. Athletes will try to obtain as many gold medals as possible, to leave an indelible mark in the all-time Pan American Games medal table.  

In this regard, Costa Verde will feature the final match of men's and women's beach volleyball competitions, with a series of tough matches. These will start at 10:00 and end at 14:30. 

Likewise, men's and women's finals in 200 m and 500 m canoe sprint will take place at Albufera Medio Mundo –Végueta, from 9:00 to 11:50. 

Water skiing competitions will also come to an end at Laguna Bujama at 10:00. Similarly, one of the most representative strength sports, weightlifting, will conclude at Mariscal Cáceres Coliseum from 12:00 to 19:00. 

The Bowling Center will see the last matches of this indoor sport, in women's and men's single events, starting at 9:00. 

On the other hand, distinction delegations of this continent will continue in their search for the gold medal in different sport disciplines such as handball, boxing, artistic gymnastics and shooting. Finally, the qualification stage of sports like baseball, hockey, softball, squash, surf and tennis will continue amid great expectation from the fans.  

For more information about the schedule and results: https://www.lima2019.pe/resultados 

A large audience attended to the High-performance Sports Center at Punta Rocas and Peruvian representatives gave their best, even though the sea conditions were not the best. Daniella Rosas and Lucca Mesinas qualified to the second round of the only qualifying event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, Benoit "Piccolo" Clemente was cheered for the incredible maneuvers performed in the last heat. "There were no good waves, but this will improve, and better maneuvers will be performed. There was a great family atmosphere. That encouragement is important for athletes to keep going through the rounds to the final," he said.

"Piccolo" will participate in the second main qualifying round against Anthony Flores from Costa Rica this Wednesday at 11:40. "It is amazing to live this sports celebration in Peru with gold medals. We are under the spotlight. Congratulations to all athletes for this achievement. We, as part of the Peruvian national team, will contribute to making this historic event even bigger," he said.

Likewise, María Fernanda Reyes beat Michelle Soriano from Ecuador in the women’s category. The repechage stage of Round 1 will continue tomorrow at 09:00 with Alonso Correa and Melanie Giunta. Moreover, the first main round of the SUP surf category will begin, in which Peruvian athletes Tamil Martino and Vania Torres will compete.

Punta Rocas beach is closely related to surf in Peru since the year in which Felipe Pomar won the World Surfing Championship in 1965 for the first time in Peru. Tickets are still available for preliminary rounds at www.lima2019.pe/tickets and at the ten authorized Teleticket centers.

SURF IN LIMA 2019

During the Pan American Games, we will have open surf, longboard, paddle surf and sup race for men and women. The competition will be conducted in compliance with the established rules of the International Surfing Association (ISA) and the Pan American Surfing Association (PASA) from June 29 to August 4.

The event will take place in heats, with a double-elimination format. Surfers will face each other in a first, second and third round until they reach the finals. The number of participants in each heat can vary from two athletes to three or four. In the case of a two-athlete heat, the first advances in the event. In a three- or four-athlete heat, the first two will advance in the event.

While several venues are holding sports competitions, the Pan American Village is living a permanent celebration. This is the result of a series of shows aimed at making athletes have fun and enjoy their stay in Peru. Peruvian cajon ensembles and lively parades spread the high spirits across the Village. The visiting delegations will be able to take home the best memories of this atmosphere.

Many athletes, such as the Jamaica representatives, started dancing to the beat of the cajon in the middle of the residence, while the volunteers watched and thoroughly enjoyed the Peruvian music being played. Then, a batucada and mime show began, amusing everybody at the Village international zone. The American athletes also joined in the dance as a way to lighten the mood amid the competitive environment they face.

In the evening, several artists and bands perform live. An example is the band Río, who will be playing the songs that made them into one of Peru’s most important rock and pop bands.

Without a doubt, the Village is now flooded with joy and camaraderie shared by the thousands of athletes staying in the seven buildings and 1096 apartments which make up the main accommodation venue.

Photo gallery (click here)

Lima 2019 has resulted in Peru joining the list of countries with the best sports infrastructure. The Pan American Games will leave an infrastructure legacy for a new generation of athletes and for the country's transformation based on sports values. And one of the main venues that was built for the Games finally opened its doors. 

The impressive Aquatic Center at VIDENA made its debut at the Pan American Games hosting the artistic swimming duet competition, featuring the best athletes of this discipline, which used to be called synchronized swimming. The grandstands were full of excited fans eager to watch this international competition. 

Many spectators praised the modern Aquatic Center, which was built for Lima 2019. The most enthusiastic fans were from Mexico, who were happy to see their team from the grandstands; a group of Chilean supporters were also rooting for their team. Among them, many families with their young children decided to spend the National Holidays watching a top-level competition in the best facilities. 

Tickets are still available if you want to attend any competition. Just go on the Pan American and Parapan American Games website lima2019.pe/tickets. Tickets can also be bought on the Teleticket website: https://teleticket.com.pe/lima2019. 

A new point of sale has opened at Jockey Plaza shopping center, Santiago de Surco. This new point of sale joins the other 10 already operating at 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.