Parque de la Exposición is located between Av. 28 de Julio and Garcilaso de la Vega. It now hosts Culturaymi, a cultural program organized as part of the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games. Thousands of Peruvians already visited Parque de la Exposición’s facilities, stands and food stalls to celebrate the Peruvian Independence Day holidays.  

Among all the festival activities that show and celebrate Peruvian culture, ‘Cuchimilco y el Bicentenario’ is one of the main exhibitions at Culturaymi. It is organized by the Special Project for the Bicentennial of Peru’s Independence and is currently carried out at the beautiful Parque de la Exposición pergola. It is the perfect location for it, as it was gifted by the Italian Government to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Peru's independence.  

A one year to celebrate the Bicentennial, the pergola has become a circular exhibition that invites visitors to explore the origins of cuchimilcos, the Chancay culture figurine which inspired Milco, the Games mascot. Guided visits run from 11:00 to 20:00.  

Thanks to archaeologist Walter Tosso, people can learn about the transformations that these peculiar statuettes have gone through over time, their religious meaning, and the world view of the inhabitants of the central region of Lima.   

At the end of the tour, visitors can write their wishes for the Bicentennial on colorful pieces of paper. Instead of throwing them into a well, they hang them on the entrance gate of the pergola. Some of the messages that can be read are the following: “I hope there is respect, rather than violence, between Peruvians and foreigners”, “Cultural diversity makes us lucky and blessed” and “I hope all Peruvians recycle garbage and stop using plastic”.  

Felipe Carrillo and his children aged 7 and 10 are among those who decided to celebrate the Peruvian Independence Day holidays at Culturaymi. “This festival is very important, not only for tourists but also for us, to learn about Peruvian culture in a memorable way,” said Felipe.  

María Calderón, who is 75 years old, also assured that Culturaymi “should not only be carried out during the Games, but also from time to time because future generations must know what happened before. Teenagers learn things here that sometimes they don't learn at school.”.  

The purposes of ‘Cuchimilco y el Bicentenario’ are to highlight the importance of cultures from Peru’s central coast region, to provide spaces for dialog and to encourage reflection on Peru’s archaeological heritage. ‘Cuchimilco y el Bicentenario’ will run until September 1 at Parque de la Exposición. 

Lima 2019 witnessed the first time the triathlon mixed relay competition has ever taken place at the Pan American Games. Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia. Cuba, Ecuador, United States, Mexico and Peru representatives gathered at Agua Dulce Beach (Chorrillos) to start the circuit with the swimming leg.  

Women were in charge of the first relay. People started arriving at Costa Verde at 7:00 and gave non-stop encouragement to the competitors as they entered the cold sea. Four minutes later, Brazilian Lusia Baptista rushed out of the water to continue with the cycling leg. Ada Bravo started the circuit for the Peruvian team. 

The pack of athletes left the Costa Verde with their bicycles and headed up to Malecón Grau, up Tenderini exit, toward Avenida Huaylas to complete the 6.6-kilometer course and then finish the 1.5-kilometer course of the running leg between Los Pavos beach and Agua Dulce beach. 

Each of the four members of the teams, made up of two women and two men, followed the same circuit. 

Eventually, Brazil was the winner of the triathlon mixed relay. The Brazilian team was made up of Lusia Baptisa, Kaue Willy, Vittoria Lopes and Manoel Messias, who completed the circuit with a time of 1:20.34. Canada finished second with 1:20.51, while Mexico reached the third place in a time of 1:20.57. 

The Peruvian team, made up of Ada and Rodrigo Bravo, Blanca Kometter and José Gómez, completed the circuit in a time of 1:31.36.  

The triathlon mixed relay stood out for its flawless organization. The Peruvian National Police started the street closure plan on July 28 at 23:00, ending on July 29 at 12:15 as planned. Around 100 police officers supervised the route and the street closure during the event. 

Meanwhile, Lima 2019 volunteers were in charge of guiding the hundreds of spectators gathered at the esplanade and the streets where the 40 athletes competed. In a nutshell, everything went as planned. 

Photo gallery (click here) 

It will support the press and general public. The Pan American Games Organizing Committee highlighted that this fifth edition of the “Lima 2019” newsletter will support the work of more than 2000 accredited journalists. 

The delegations of athletes staying in the Pan American Village, located in Villa El Salvador, will also be aware of their next competitions. People will also know what happens day by day through this newsletter. 

“It’s great that in this eight-page “Lima 2019” newsletter, the media can collect photographs, information, results and cultural data,” said the Lima 2019 spokesman Carlos Manuel Lazarte. 

He also said that the tabloid format is comfortable to read, clear and concise, including detailed information. “It’s a newsletter comfortable to read,” he said. 

It should be noted that the “Lima 2019” newsletter is published every day during the Games and it is distributed for free at different Lima 2019 venues. 

FRONT COVER-WORTHY BOXING 

Carlos Manuel Lazarte was moved when he saw the last cover of the “Lima 2019” newsletter. It included information regarding the victory of Peruvian boxers José María Lúcar and Leodan Pezo, who won medals and will fight for the gold. 

The newsletter also pointed out that the former world champion Alberto “Chiquito” Rossel can taste the glory again as a coach.

The Opening Ceremony of the Pan American Games excited people so much that many of them continue buying their tickets for the Closing Ceremony of the Pan American Games now.

The interest of Peruvian fans for the sports competitions of the Pan American Games has also grown a lot. Since July 27, the day after the Opening Ceremony, over 29 thousand tickets have been sold according to a report by the ticketing agency.

This record number is the same Lima 2019 obtained last May 27, when the tickets sale for the Pan American Games started.

There are still tickets left

Peruvian fans can still get their tickets for the football competitions to be held at the remodeled San Marcos Stadium, as well as for Greco-Roman wrestling and boxing that will take place at the Miguel Grau Coliseum in Callao. Also, there are still tickets left for softball and archery, which will be held at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center.

Additionally, you can buy tickets for: freestyle cycling that will be held at the Costa Verde venue in San Miguel; hockey, at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center, among other sports.

Tickets and Points of Sale

This way, all people interested in buying their tickets for the Closing Ceremony and the competitions of the Pan American Games can get them starting at PEN 20.00. There is a 50 percent discount for people with an impairment and their companions, senior citizens over 60, and children under 18.

Fans can buy their tickets at www.lima2019.pe/tickets.

Recently, the Organizing Committee opened a new point of sale at the Jockey Plaza Shopping Center in Santiago de Surco.

These 11 points of sale are opened in the Metro and Wong hypermarkets 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 21 Pan American disciplines are qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and 13 sports will allocate quota places for the Paralympic Games.

Water skier Natalia Cuglievan won the fourth gold medal for Peru, becoming the first Peruvian athlete to win a second personal gold medal in the history of the Pan American Games. 

The now two-time Pan American champion repeated her feat from Toronto 2015 after winning the tricks event in the competition held at Laguna de Bujama. 

Cuglievan scored 9910 points, beating American Erika Lang (9720) and Canadian Louise Rini (8820).  

Before the competition, Natalia had claimed to feel “ready”, as she had been training intensively for the last six months. 

“It’s a great honor for me to represent Peru and to make water skiing better known. I did feel a little more pressure because I was competing in my home country, in front of my family and my people. But all the effort I put in was worth it,” stated Natalia. 

Her debut at the Pan American Games was at the age of just 14, at Guadalajara 2011. She managed to reach the fourth place. Toronto 2015 was the occasion to start showing all her class, as she took home the gold medal. Four years later, Natalia won gold again at the Lima 2019 Games.  

“Sports are truly important, and Peru made an effort to organize the Pan American Games,” concluded Natalia. 

The fame of the ‘Leonas’, the Argentinian women's hockey team, transcended Peruvian borders and joined the fever for the Pan American Games. Hundreds of people, most of them girls who practice this sport and have the Argentinian team as a role model, enjoyed every move of the “Leonas” on the ‘water court’ of Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center.

Argentina beat Uruguay in the opening match of Group A, formed also by Cuba and Canada. The “Leonas” arrived in Lima to compete for the gold medal won by United States at Toronto 2015. The energy transmitted by their fans, who came from different Argentinian cities, and the Peruvian public who cheered them as if they were from Peru, will encourage the “Leonas” to reach the top of the podium.

“We are really enjoying the Games in Lima and the respect of the Peruvians at the venues and the Pan American Village, which makes us feel at home. And we were very surprised by the affection of Peruvian girls who encouraged us. It is nice to be admired in another country. We will give our best to make you enjoy the Leonas’ performance,” pointed out the captain Rosario Luchetti.

On his part, the Argentinian coach Carlos Retegui said: “We must congratulate the Organizing Committee for the two world-class fields that will serve to promote hockey in Peru. Peruvian athletes are talented, but we have to take hockey to schools to expand the player base and make this sport popular. We need to fill the courts with children after the Pan American Games,” stated Retegui.

In the afternoon, Peru will make its debut against Chile at 16:00 and entire families are already encouraging them with great fanfare at the sports center. If you do not want to miss this match, buy your tickets at lima2019.pe/tickets and in the authorized Teleticket points of sale in Metro and Wong in the following districts: 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 recently opened at Jockey Plaza shopping center in Surco. There is also another ticket office at the main gate of the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center.

Carlos Manuel Lazarte, Lima 2019 spokesperson, stated that many competition venues of the Pan American Games—housing disciplines that are not so popular in Peru—were filled during the first days.

“There are tickets left for the Closing Ceremony and other competitions.  While it is true that football, volleyball and basketball are the sports with more tickets sold , we were surprised that gymnastics, swimming, athletics, and other sports events were very well received for the finals,” he said.

Carlos Manuel Lazarte could not hide his satisfaction for the public's attendance, especially young fans, who have the chance to see disciplines that they did not have enjoyed before. “Venues get crowded,” stated

During a press conference, he reported that the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee is pleased to have sold over 367 thousand tickets for different competitions and the Pan American Games Ceremonies for the coming days.

Visit the Pan American and Parapan American Games website to buy tickets:  lima2019.pe or visit Teleticket's 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.

PRESIDENTIAL PRAISE

Carlos Manuel Lazarte thanked the congratulations of the President of Peru, Martin Vizcarra, to the Lima 2019 Organization, during his last National speech for National Holidays.

“In his National speech, the President of Peru, Martin Vizcarra, said that Lima 2019 has mobilized Peruvians in a way never seen before in order to deliver a one of a kind sports event”, he said. He also highlighted the event's tourist and economic impact stated by the President.

Milco, the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games official mascot, was also present before the Great Military Parade cheering people up. The audience took the opportunity to say hi and take pictures with the emblematic mascot that captivated children and adults.

From their arrival, early in the morning, a group of Lima 2019 staff members, the Peruvian wheelchair basketball team and Milco, the official mascot, caught the attention of children and adults.

Paola Eucástegui, staff member of the Special Project for the Preparation and Development of the Pan American and Parapan American Games, shared that from the moment they received the invitation, they worked very hard to prepare and that they are happy for their participation in this important event.

It should be noted that this is the first time athletes with an impairment affiliated to the National Commission for the Integration of People with Impairments (CONADIS) participate in the Great Military Parade, as an example of the process of social inclusion of people with an impairment in our country.

Part of the Lima 2019 delegation were cadets of the 4th year of the Chorrillos Military School, belonging to the 126 promotion, who were in charge of carrying some of the 41 flags of all the countries taking part in the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.

Photo gallery (click here)

The Peruvian fans proved one more time that they are the best fans in the world for their unconditional support of the eleven brave women who were defeated by the Argentinian team on the first day of the Lima 2019 women’s football competitions.

However, Peru won in the stands. The match took place at the remodeled stadium of the National University of San Marcos. The seats were red and white due to the ardent fans who did not stop cheering on the team and their opportunities to score.

The stadium featured devoted fans who were at all times focused on the Peruvian team movements. Their popular chants encouraged the eleven brave players, led by Doriva Bueno, on the second half. 

Despite being outperformed by the Argentinians, the Peruvian team together with the dedicated fans, never give up hope, especially when they were very close to score on several occasions. For example, when goalkeeper Correa caught the shot from striker Myriam Tristán in the 78th minute of the second half, which was also a disallowed offside goal.

The Peruvian team is focused on moving to the next round and dreaming of finishing first in the Games. For that purpose, they need to beat Costa Rica and Panama. These matches will be held on July 31 and August 3 at 20:30 at the San Marcos Stadium.

For the upcoming matches, the Peruvian team will be supported by its loyal fans, who will reaffirm their status as top-tier fans in the most important sport celebration in the Americas. 

The traditional Great Military Parade opened this morning with the Peruvian medalists of the Pan American Games: Gladys Tejeda, Cristhian Pacheco, Hugo del Castillo, Marcela Castillo, Ariana Vera, Renzo Saux and Luis Bardalez, who raised their hands while passing through the stage of this protocol act for the Independence Day.

The winning athletes, carrying their medals, led the Lima 2019 delegation in the parade held in Av. Brasil.

It should be noted that Tejeda is the winner of the 42K women’s marathon; and Cristhian Pacheco, the winner of the gold medal in the 42K men’s marathon. In addition, Hugo Del Castillo (silver medal), Marcela Castillo (silver medal), Luis Bardalez (bronze medal), Diego Elías (gold medal), Ariana Vera (bronze medal) and Renzo Saux (bronze medal) were also present.

This delegation was also accompanied by the Lima 2019 workers, who carried the 41 flags that represent the countries participating in the Pan American Games.

The Peruvian wheelchair basketball team, which will represent us in the Parapan American Games, and the Lima 2019 Ambassador, Alejandra Callirgos, also participated in this parade.

The uniforms worn by the members of the delegation in the parade have been made with Peruvian materials and produced by micro and small business as a Games contribution to the Peruvian economy. Its design reflects our identity and culture.

Peru is the host of the largest multi-sports event in the continent for the first time in its history.

Photo gallery (click here)