Men’s softball will be one of the sports that makes its debut at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. Because of the expectation surrounding this debut, the Peruvian men’s team, that came together for this edition of the Pan American Games, has been working hard to be in optimal conditions for the competition. They are currently training in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, until Monday, July 22.

Moreover, they have gained a lot of experience with the addition of two recently naturalized Peruvian citizens, Venezuelans Eyzer Mujica and Daniel José Ramírez.

“I thank Peru for welcoming me with open arms. I will fight for the Peruvian team at the Lima 2019 Games,” stated Daniel Ramírez, who feels like a Peruvian and plays as an outfielder on the team. He has been living in Peru for four years.

Before traveling to Santo Domingo, the team trained every day to get ready for this great challenge. They trained at the Lima 2019 softball venue, the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

As a team sport, cohesion and understanding between all players are essential. “We’re not only teammates, we’re a family. We get along well and that makes us strong,” pointed out Diego Riquelme, the pitcher of the Peruvian team.

The team shared their thoughts on their rivals: “They’re the top Pan American teams. Argentina recently beat Japan, became world champion and is coming to Lima to fight for the gold medal,” said Riquelme.

“I look forward to fighting for Peru and to put my heart and soul into it. I wish the stadium was ready. Seeing the stands packed will be exciting,” added the Peruvian softball player.

ABOUT THE LIMA 2019 COMPETITION

Softball will be contested in three rounds for seven days. The first stage will have a round-robin format and the top four teams will advance to the semifinals. In these matches, the team in first place will face the one placed second, and the third will play against the fourth.

The men’s team will make its debut against Cuba on July 25, at 16:00. It will also play against Mexico on July 27 and against Venezuela on July 28. Both matches will be at 16:00. The following day, they will play against the United States at the same time, and their last match will be against Argentina on July 30, at 18:00.

The winner of the first pool advances directly to the Grand Final. Meanwhile, the loser of the first pool faces the winner of the second pool in the final. The winner of this last match qualifies to the final round, the Grand Final, and competes against the winner of the first pool for the gold medal.

The competition will take place at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center. You can buy your tickets at www.lima2019.pe/tickets or at the authorized points of sale located throughout the city.

“Please make an effort to buy your tickets and go to see us so that you can enjoy the best sport in the world,” concluded Diego Riquelme.

See the fixture

The Lima 2019 Organizing Committee (COPAL) and the National Police of Peru announced that the Road Plan for the Pan American and Parapan American Games will start operating from July 19 to September 5, 2019.

The Road Plan, prepared by the PNP in coordination with COPAL, consists of segregating lanes to ensure the timely and safe transport of more than 15,000 athletes, Para athletes, judges, referees, accredited journalists, volunteers and Games official delegations.

The Lima 2019 Lane consists of permanent and temporary segregated lanes, as well as preferential lanes. It should be noted that if an unauthorized vehicle enters the Lima 2019 Lane, a fine of PEN 336 will be applied for breaching the National Transport Regulation (G10 and G16).

Lima 2019 Lanes

The permanent segregated lanes will be operational 24 hours a day to exclusively transport official vehicles of the Lima 2019 Games.

The permanent lanes will be:

From the Pan American Village to the National Sports Village (VIDENA):

-Av. El Sol

-Av. Mariano Pastor Sevilla

-Av. Mateo Pumacahua

-Panamericana Sur

-Av. Circunvalación

-Av. Canadá

From the Pan American Village to the Jorge Chavez International Airport:

-Av. El Sol

-Av. Mariano Pastor Sevilla

-Av. Mateo Pumacahua

-Panamericana Sur - Vía de Evitamiento

-Línea Amarilla

The roads that will be segregated are those that branch off from the permanent lane and will only operate temporarily, according to the competition schedule, four hours before and two hours after each sports event. The National Police of Peru will provide assistance throughout this process in order to speed up traffic flow.

Meanwhile, preferential lanes will enable official Lima 2019 vehicles, public and private transportation to circulate at the same time.

The Road Plan is being executed in coordination with the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC), the Municipality of Callao (MPC), the Municipality of Lima (MML) and the National Police of Peru (PNP). It was made official through the Directorial Resolution No. 013–2019 MTC/18 and the Sub-directorial Resolution No. 6306–2019- MML/GTU–SIT, which authorize the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games Organizing Committee (COPAL) to temporarily interfere with traffic during the multi-sports event.

In that sense, we must be good hosts and give priority to Lima 2019 official vehicles that transport athletes and the international committees. “Let’s all play” for Lima 2019. 

ABOUT LIMA 2019

The Lima 2019 Games Opening Ceremony will be held at the National Stadium on July 26, 2019. 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, which will take place in 14 districts of Lima and Callao at various venues like VIDENA, Villa María Sports Center, Callao Regional Village, Villa El Salvador Sports Center, Punta Rocas, 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.

The Parapan American Games will welcome 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, who will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines. Competitions will take place from August 23 to September 1, 2019. Thirteen Para sports will be qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

In the context of the UNICEF campaign “Lima: ciudad que se juega por la no violencia hacia su niñez,” the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee President, Carlos Neuhaus, the Mayor of Lima Jorge Muñoz, and the UNICEF Deputy Representative, Olga Isaza, signed a big Peruvian football jersey, to confirm their commitment to fight against any form of violence against children.

This strategic alliance between Lima 2019, the Municipality of Lima, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), seeks to promote the commitment of citizens to eliminate any form of violence affecting children and teenagers, and turn this fight into the social legacy of the Games.

Lima citizens can also be part of this campaign by signing the jersey, which will be visiting the sports and cultural venues of the Games. For the time being, the Mayor of Lima expressly requested it to be displayed today at the City Hall’s balcony.

In this matter, Neuhaus emphasized that Lima 2019 Games must be the start of a new way of thinking for all citizens using the sports values that will govern the competitions.

“The Games are a great opportunity to mark a turning point, not only in the sports field, but in the citizens’ behavior too. We are trying to become a first world country, a country that respects the rules, so young adults and children can live in a better world, different than the one we’re living in today. We can't keep living in a violent city. I thank this initiative because it will help us become first world citizens,” he stated.

On the other hand, Muñoz also emphasized ethical support, as it is the base of any sports competition in the world, and the civic legacy it will leave for Peruvians.

“I believe in alliances. We have to take the opportunity the Games are giving us to be proud, as Peruvians, of what we can achieve. Important things will come: there will be a sports and social legacy, as values of great importance will be spread. Children and teenagers are not the future, as it is said, but the present of our society.  

Moreover, the Deputy Representative of UNICEF congratulated the work done by Lima 2019 and its social significance.

“It is an honor and a pleasure to share this mission with COPAL and the Municipality of Lima. I want to congratulate Lima 2019, which has set a great example as organizers of this Pan American event. Their work not only inspires us, but it will be a good example of how the Olympic Games are going to be to young adults and it will highlight the importance of health, discipline and care for others. These are the core values of such a spectacular event,” she said.

This campaign's objective is to turn this fight for the non-violence against children one of the Lima 2019 Games legacies. It is made of five communication pieces: a video featuring the Peruvian athlete Maitte Torres and three posters and a radio spot that will be posted at Games venues, social media of organizing institutions and different digital media, such as LED screens located in main Peruvian avenues.

ABOUT LIMA 2019

The opening ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games will be held at the National Stadium on July 26, 2019. 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, which will take place in 14 districts of Lima and Callao at various venues like VIDENA, Villa María Sports Center, Callao Regional Village, Villa El Salvador Sports Center, Punta Rocas, among others.

The Lima 2019 Pan American Games will include 39 sports and 62 disciplines, in which athletes will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals. A total of 22 disciplines are qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The Parapan American Games will welcome 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, who will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines. Competitions will take place from August 23 to September 1, 2019. Thirteen sports will be qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Photo gallery (click here)

The Lima 2019 Pan American Games will be a milestone in Peruvian sports, as they will receive the largest Peruvian delegation in the most important multi-sport event in the Americas. The Peruvian Olympic Committee confirmed 834 members (599 athletes and 235 officials, between coaches, delegates, assistants and medics) in their delegation.

Peru will be represented by 315 men and 284 women in 38 disciplines, during 19 competition days, from July 24 to August 11. Carlos Manuel Lazarte, Secretary General of the Peruvian Olympic Committee, said that it will be the largest Peruvian delegation ever in the Pan American Games.

According to the Peruvian Olympic Committee, most members of the delegation will be competing in aquatic sports. A total of 67 swimmers will compete in five disciplines (open water swimming, diving, artistic swimming, swimming and water polo). Racquetball will be the sport with the less number of athletes.

The delegation’s flag bearer will be announced on July 26 at the National Stadium. The special event will be held at the main auditorium of the San Ignacio of Loyola University (USIL). The nomination is been kept in absolute secret for now.

ABOUT LIMA 2019

The Lima 2019 Pan American Games will gather 6680 athletes from 41 countries and delegations of the Americas. There will be 19 days of competitions and ceremonies between July 24 and August 11, 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, among others.

The Lima 2019 Pan American Games will include 39 sports and 62 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.

The Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, led by its president, Carlos Neuhaus, and the minister of the Environment, Lucía Ruiz, presented this afternoon the action plan that will be carried out to make the Pan American and Parapan American Games environmentally responsible, thus becoming the first Green Games.

This task will be carried out through responsible consumption of single-use plastic products, selective waste collection and the participation of recyclers and environmental volunteers, like those present during the visit of Minister Lucía Ruiz to the facilities of the VIDENA (Athletics Stadium, Aquatic Center and Velodrome).

During her visit to the venue, the minister pointed out its modern facilities, as well as the contribution of Lima 2019 to the environment. “Lima 2019 will mark a before and after thanks to its sports infrastructure. We have world-class facilities that will put Peru under the world’s spotlight. For this reason, we must promote a new lifestyle, with a green and clean Peru. The event will be in keeping with environmental issues, through the use of solar panels and renewable energy,” she said.

“We want the Games to be green and clean, so we ask you not to bring plastic to the facilities. During the Games, there will be waste management, and the Carbon Neutral policy against the emission of greenhouse gases will be applied. Additionally, carbon credits will be issued for the implementation of four natural areas in San Martín, Ucayali, Puno and Madre de Dios. These Games will represent a change and show the world what we are and what we want to be,” Minister Lucía Ruiz added.

Meanwhile, Carlos Neuhaus assured that Lima 2019 will give us the chance to be better citizens. “As a country, this is our chance to manage the environment differently and to improve our habits. Over 400 million people around the world will be watching us, so we must do things differently. Lima will be in the spotlight and we can be better. It all depends on us,” said the president of COPAL.

CARBON FOOTPRINT

The Ministry of the Environment (MINAM), through the National Agency of Natural Areas Protected by the State (SERNAMP), will be responsible for measuring the carbon footprint of this international sports event in order to compensate it in Protected Natural Areas.

The compensation will be carried out through carbon credits from the RED+ project, based on the concept of environmental responsibility. The goal is to leave an environmental legacy by reducing the impact generated during the Games in order to be Carbon Neutral.

The actions of MINAM are part of their strategic approaches, “Perú Limpio” (Clean Peru) and “Perú Natural” (Natural Peru), that aim to inform and educate citizens about good environmental practices.

As part of the presentation of environmental actions, there will be a tour of the facilities of the National Sports Village (VIDENA), which will show the education and promotion activities being carried out in regard to the responsible consumption of single-use plastic products, waste reduction, as well as segregated waste storage.

During the Lima 2019 Games, establishments that provide food and other products at the different venues will not be able to give out single-use plastic bags, straws or styrofoam containers.

ABOUT LIMA 2019

The Opening Ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games will be held at the National Stadium on 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, which will take place in 14 districts of Lima and Callao at various venues like VIDENA, Villa María Sports Center, Callao Regional Village, Villa El Salvador Sports Center, Punta Rocas, 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 competitions are qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Photo gallery (click here)

The best prelude to the Lima 2019 Pan American Games Opening Ceremony will take place two days prior, with the competitions of the first two sports. The beach volleyball and handball competitions will kick off the main multi-sports event in the continent with the best athletes of the Americas.

The beach volleyball courts at Costa Verde San Miguel will be the stages for the 16 men’s and women’s matches. The first matches will be between the Canadian and Nicaraguan women’s teams on court 1 and the Argentinian and Guatemalan women’s teams on court 2.

The Peruvian women’s duo will make its debut against El Salvador (13:10) on court 1 while the men’s duo will play against the Dominican Republic starting at 14:50, at the end of the first day.

Alexandra Mendoza and Lisbeth Allca, first place in the South American U-20 ranking and historic fifth place at the 2019 Beach Volleyball World Championship, will represent Peru. Meanwhile, the Peruvian men’s duo consists of Bruno Seminario and Gabriel Vásquez.

See the complete calendar of the first day of beach volleyball:

WORLD-CLASS HANDBALL

In the afternoon, the VIDENA’s Sports Center 1 will host the first matches of women’s handball. The competition starts at 13:00, with the first match between Puerto Rico and Canada. Then, the Peruvian team will make its debut at Lima 2019 (15:30) against the Dominican Republic.

Moreover, the first day will include two other exciting matches: Argentina, one of the contenders for the gold medal, will face the United States and Brazil, the five-time Pan American champion and the favorite to win the gold, will play against Cuba at 20:30.

BUY YOUR TICKETS

You can buy your tickets for these matches on the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games website: www.lima2019.pe.

You can also buy your tickets at any authorized point of sale at the Metro and Wong supermarkets and stores 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 noting that a new point of sale has recently opened at the Jockey Plaza shopping center in Santiago de Surco.