Brazil and Guatemala were playing the last minute of the men’s goalball match. Students from General Prado from Bellavista, Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes Nº 5076 school from Callao, and Manuel Seoane school in the district of Mi Perú, were following every play closely, in absolute silence.  

They were able to enjoy the goalball match at the Miguel Grau Stadium in Callao thanks to the “Soy Lima 2019” campaign. This initiative included 31 institutions in its first stage, promoting the Olympic and Paralympic values with activities and sociocultural performances; in its second stage, it raised students' awareness of new Para sport disciplines.   

But the inspiring moment took place after this last minute: Leomon Moreno Da Silva, the world's best goalball player and scorer of the 95 goals which led Brazil to the 2018 world championship, stood up and walked onto the stands to join the musical celebration typical of Lima 2019. 

The Brazilian team, along with Moreno Da Silva, sang “Cariñito”, jumped together with the three schools’ students, took selfies with each group, and shouted out “Perú, Perú, Perú!” and “We can do it! We can do it!”, as a way to acknowledge the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games excellent organization. 

The excitement brought by this was felt throughout the Miguel Grau Coliseum, located in the district of Bellavista, Constitutional Province of Callao. Volunteers gathered together, sang and laughed with the goalball players. This sport was created for the community of persons with visual impairment to allow them to play with passion. 

Sports as a Life-changing Experience 

Teacher César Castillo Reyes, from General Prado school, highlighted that the Pan American and Parapan American Games are the most beautiful events ever held in Peru and they have raised the students' awareness of the inclusion of persons with an impairment thanks to the “Soy Lima 2019” campaign. 

For him, the most important legacy of the Games is that sports are an element of change for society. They encourage children to do sports, be focused and competitive, feel proud of representing Peru and stay busy by doing positive activities for society. 

Teacher Brigitte Palacios from Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes Nº 5076 school agreed that doing sports is important for students and that these competitions help teach them different subjects, such as Math, Science and Environment, Civics, all of them oriented to the Lima 2019 Games. 

Four years ago, she left her name engraved in the history of Argentinian sport. That time, at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the Para athlete Yanina Martínez won the 100 m event (class T36 for people with cerebral palsy). That gold medal placed Argentina at the top of the podium, after two decades of absence. Her impairment never limited her and now she proudly carries the Argentinian flag. 

Nevertheless, the challenges still continue for her and Lima 2019 is the first step to repeat her Paralympic achievement in Tokyo 2020. This afternoon, with tears in her eyes, she celebrated her two gold medals in the 100 and 200 m events, repeating what she achieved in Toronto 2015. But that is not all, if she makes it to the final of the 4x100 relay tonight, she could reach an historic third gold medal at the Games. 

“Yanina really wanted to be in Lima 2019, because she considers it a very beautiful event and, for that reason, she prepared with effort, showing an extraordinary love for athletics. There have been many years of hard work, which has been giving achievements since Guadalajara 2011 and we are very happy,” said her coach Martín Arroyo. 

Since the age of 11, Arroyo has been training the Argentinian Olympic champion as part of a physical education program. He encouraged her to practice sports, playing with balls and running short distances. As the years went by, he was surprised by her dedication until she became a top athlete in 2010. They both spend a lot of time together, since they work double shifts, which generated a family connection. 

Yanina is grateful for the good treatment of Peruvians. She really enjoys the food and the good atmosphere with her teammates in the Parapan American Village. “Lima 2019 will remain in my heart. I am very happy with the two gold medals and I want to dedicate them to my mom and my coach because I love them very much,” said the champion. 

CHEER ON THEM FROM THE GRANDSTANDS 

If you want to see these wonderful athletes, tomorrow is the last day starting at 15:00. Buy your tickets starting at PEN 10. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. You can buy tickets in the ticket offices at VIDENA and in the 11 authorized points of sale throughout the city. 

Tickets can also be purchased online at lima2019.pe/tickets, where you will also find the detailed competition schedule. In the case of e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since customers can show their e-ticket from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue. 

Nearly 40 years after releasing their best-known song, “Avenida Larco”, the rock band was invited by Lima 2019 to be part of the series of free concerts given at Culturaymi during the Parapan American Games.  

On the Morisco stage located at Parque de la Exposición, the legendary band gave a concert filled with the usual excitement they display on stage. It is worth noting that Frágil received the International Gold Excellence Award by the Peruvian American National Council (PANC) at the OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C. last July.  

“This was an invitation to a party, and we loved being called to play, especially during the Parapan American Games. I think this moment is even greater because of the Para athletes’ admirable effort... I really do think that this will go down in history. Thanks to Lima 2019, the country has reached a new level: we’re on the world map now,” stated Octavio ‘Tavo’ Castillo, who has played keyboards and flute for the band since its inception.  

Similarly, lead singer Álex Rojas claimed that he felt honored to be part of the schedule during the Para sports competitions.  

“The people who compete are heroes already; they don’t need any medals because they’re role models to all of us. In spite of their own constraints, they’ve taught us that there are no limits. And we’re here to share our music. That’s what we’re here for: to share, not to compete,” he stated.  

Over 40 free concerts featuring bands in a wide range of genres and styles will be held as part of Culturaymi at Parque de la Exposición from July 27 to August 31.  

“This event is really important because it's the first time sports and music have come together. It’s a truly interesting proposal by the organizers and I don’t know when it will happen again,” stated César Bustamante, Frágil’s bassist and founding member. 

Every move of the women’s goalball national team made the crowd at Miguel Grau Coliseum excited, and they did not stop cheering on their national team during its match against Mexico. The Mexican team was winning 10-3 this match on the third competition day in the group stage of this sport discipline, created exclusively for people with visual impairment.

As soon as the event started, the Mexican trio was going ahead in the score.  Within the first 43 seconds, Tania Jiménez scored 1-0 for the Mexican team, while the Peruvian team did its very best to control the throws. However, despite their efforts, Mexico won 4-2 the first half.

At half time, all the fans stood up and started singing the classic “Cómo no te voy a querer”. They cheered and gave some words of support to the Peruvian Para athletes. The second half started with a goal scored by the Mexican María Angulo⁠— the top scorer of the match with four points⁠—, while the Peruvian Milagros Cotrina pulled off 5-3.

In the last minutes of the competition, the Mexican goalball players scored 5 more points, making a final score of 10-3 in their favor. As for Peru’s next competition, the national team will face off Brazil tomorrow, August 28, in the fourth match of the group stage.

Goalball: the sport born for people with visual impairment

Its origins date back to 1946, when this sport was created for people with visual impairment as part of a rehabilitation project for World War II veterans.

This discipline has been practiced in our country for about three years, but it was not until Lima 2019 that Peru finally entered both men’s and women’s team for the first time in the history of the Parapan American Games.

Goalball is a Parapan American sport consisting of two teams of six players each: three first team players and three substitutes, who are positioned in front of the goal to defend and try to score goals.

The court is similar to the one used in volleyball (18 meters long and 9 meters wide), with a goal on each side of the field and, as a main requirement, players must wear eyeshades to block the light.

The match lasts 24 minutes, and it is divided into two 12-minute halves with a 3-minute half time. The ball is made of rubber, weights 1.250 grams, and has bells inside that help players find it as they only have 8 seconds to shoot the ball. 

Matches are played in absolute silence, in order to allow players to hear the sound of the ball while it slides over the field of play

Around 50 children from the Miguel Grau school, located in San Luis, arrived at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games venue wearing the national soccer team jumper and watched every detail of the competitions at all times. They had the chance to enjoy some Para swimming events held at VIDENA’s modern Aquatic Center. 

These students came to event very early properly uniformed and in a very orderly manner to watch the performances of the continent’s best Para athletes. They were able to enter the venue thanks to the more than 35 thousand tickets provided to 57 schools in the Lima Metropolitan Area and Callao, in order to give children the chance to enjoy the different sports disciplines included in the sports program of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. 

Students from San Luis were part of the campaign “Soy Lima”, where they learned a lot about sports values. Thanks to this campaign, 35,140 tickets were given to 57 schools: 22,121 tickets are for competitions during the daytime and 13,019 will be for competitions held in the evening.  

Therefore, students must be accompanied by their teachers, parents and/or personnel from the Regional Bureau of Education of Lima (DRELM) and Regional Bureau from Callao (DREC).  

Hopefully, this initiative will be an important experience, so that the paralympic values, such as courage and determination, become their motivation for young Peruvians. In addition, we have to remember that even though the path to success takes a long time, it is always possible to achieve our goals with dedication. 

However, they were not the only students that attended the Para swimming competitions. Students from the Liceo Naval and Hiram Bingham and also from the Santo Domingo de Manchay school came to the Aquatic Center in order to watch the high-performance Para sports like Para swimming, where the Peruvian Rodrigo Santillán who participated in 50 m backstroke.  

Photo Gallery (click here) 

A few years ago, Sara Vargas’ life completely changed when she met her current coach, Stevens Ruíz, while competing in short stature tournaments in Bogotá. Since then, the Para swimmer followed a process that led her to qualify for the Lima 2019 Games and become the youngest Para athlete in the history of the Parapan American Games with achievements that astonish everyone. 

Even though her growth problem prevented her from gaining stature, her ambition always remained intact. This is her first major international event and she has already collected two medals and set Parapan American records.  Yesterday she surprised the spectators by winning the silver medal in the 400 m freestyle event and tonight she amazed her fans after winning the gold medal in the 50 m butterfly event in class S6.  

“I can’t explain how I feel. I still can’t believe it. I am thrilled with my first gold. Even though it was not my best time, I set a Parapan American record. I’m determined to improve because my biggest goal is to succeed at the Paralympic Games," said the new Para swimming star, who achieved better records in international events this year. 

Sara will compete in the 100 m backstroke and freestyle events, as well as in the 50 m freestyle competition and she is focused on reaching the podium again. Her coach says that we will see more of this Colombian Para athlete who impresses sports lovers. 

“Colombia has a swimmer for at least two more Olympic cycles at the highest level. She has an exceptional talent because she is also demanding and disciplined. We are preparing her integrally so that the pressure does not overcome her. There are not many Paralympic competitions in the world, so she even competes against swimmers who don’t have an impairment to perfect her skills,” said Stevens Ruíz.  

Sara Vargas will compete again on Thursday 29 at 17:18. To see her compete, you can buy your tickets starting at PEN 10. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices in VIDENA and in the eleven authorized points of sale throughout the city. 

Tickets can also be purchased online at lima2019.pe/tickets, where you will also find the detailed competition schedule. In the case of e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since customers can show their e-ticket from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue. 

In the sixth day of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games competitions, the “Classic of the Pacific” will come to life when the Peruvian women's national team faces the Chilean team, in the preliminary round of group B. 

The competition will be held at Sports Center 1 of the National Sports Village, at 18:30. Mexico, Canada, Brazil, USA, among other countries, will be also competing in this amazing sport, both in men’s and women’s categories. 

The Peruvian sitting volleyball team will fight for its pass to the final against the experienced USA team, at 19:00, at the Callao Regional Sports Village. The other semifinal will have Brazil and Canada, at 17:00. 

In addition, the Peruvian wheelchair tennis team will be looking to defeat their rivals in singles and doubles quarterfinals against USA and Canada, at the Club Lawn Tennis, starting at 11:00. 

Likewise, in the goalball group stage, Peruvian women’s and men’s trios will be facing Mexico and USA at the Miguel Grau Coliseum of Callao, starting at 10:00. 

As for Para table tennis, players will be fighting for the gold in the 2-5, 3-5, 6-8, 9-10 and 1-2 classes at the Sports Center 3 of Videna, starting at 10:00. 

The Villa El Salvador Sports Center will be the stage of gold, silver and bronze wheelchair rugby matches, starting at 10:00. 

And last, but not least, the best Para athletes of the Americas will be looking for the glory in Para athletics, Para cycling track, Para swimming and shooting Para sport. For more information about schedules and sport venues, visit https://www.lima2019.pe/resultados

One of the stars who came to shine at the sixth edition of the Parapan American Games imposed a new mark. The brilliant Cuban Para athlete Omara Durand won her second gold in Lima 2019 and her tenth Parapan American title. 

She is looking for a third gold to close her participation in our Games on the highest point, as she will still be competing in the 400 m class T12 category (Para athletes with visual impairment running with guides).  

The Para athlete was close to beating her best mark, but she finished the competition with a time of 11.76 s. Nevertheless, it was her best time in the season. 

Omara Durand, considered the fastest Para athlete in the world, had won her first gold in Lima 2019 in the 200 m T12 category event, and now she is only waiting to compete in the 400 m, as the favorite to win a new gold medal. It is important to mention that she is running along with her guide Kindelán Vargas. 

The Cuban athlete has won 10 Parapan American titles so far, three in Rio 2007 (100 m, 200 m and 400 m), two in Guadalajara 2011 (100 m and 400 m), three in Toronto 2015 (100 m, 200 m and 400 m) and two in Lima (100 m and 200 m). She also has five gold medals won in Paralympic Games in London 2012 (two) and Rio 2016 (three). 

TICKETS ON SALE 

To see brilliant Para athletes like the Cuban Omara Durand participating at the Parapan American Games, buy your tickets, starting at PEN 10. There will be a 50 % discount for minors, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought at tickets booth at VIDENA (gates 1 and 10) and at the 11 points of sale in Lima. 

Tickets can also be purchased online at lima2019.pe/tickets, where you will also find the sports calendar with detailed competition schedules. In the case of e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since customers can show their e-ticket from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue. 

Photo Gallery (click here)

Motivation and Effort. Parents and teachers from the Manuel Scorza de Villa María del Triunfo (VMT), Villa Jesús and Fe y Alegría de Villa El Salvador (VES) schools agreed that the delivery of solidarity tickets by the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee is an unprecedented event in our country and helps young students to get closer to the different sports disciplines, but also to Para athletes' perseverance. 

To the rhythm of the Lima 2019 playlist, and with Milco as main choreographer, more than 500 schoolchildren from these two southern districts of Metropolitan Lima supported and cheered on during the wheelchair rugby event held at the Villa El Salvador Sports Center and the Football 5-a-side competition held at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center. 

Claudia Narváez, a mother from the Villa Jesús school (VES), highlighted the opportunity that children have to enjoy these top-level competitions and to learn what sports effort is, because they can witness how people with an impairment can overcome any difficulties to practice what they love: sports. 

She also trusted that the excellent sports infrastructure will motivate young people to practice new sports. 

Blanca Esquivel, Science and Technology teacher at Fe y Alegría Nº 17 school, said that it is a great idea to invite students to these competitions, because they learn about new sports and can see the determination and perseverance of the athletes participating in these Parapan American Games. This is crucial for them, because these athletes are a life lesson. 

Thanks to the Soy Lima 2019 campaign, in its second stage, 57 schools in Metropolitan Lima and Callao will benefit from 35,000 free tickets so that primary and secondary school students can enjoy the most important multi-sports event in the Americas.  

Tomorrow, the wheelchair rugby final will be held. 

On August 27 at 12:00, the teams from Canada and the United States will compete for the gold medal. Two hours earlier, Brazil and Colombia will face off for the bronze. Both matches will be held at the Villa El Salvador Sports Center.

Like during the first match that took place in the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center, the fans were the life of the party as they cheered from the stands with each of Brayan Bartolo’s feints and when Rony Estrada daringly faced the Argentinian forwards, however, they were unable to secure the match and lost 3 to 0. 

The Argentinian team showed better control when handling the ball and quickly took the lead in the scoreboard; five minutes into the match, defender Maximiliano Espinillo scored the first goal with a powerful cross shot. 

Despite this goal, the Peruvian team fought for every ball on midfield and used everything at their disposal to search for a tie, but the good defensive position of the Argentinian team made each attack futile.  

After a recovery by the defense and a quick transition to an attack, Espinillo scored the second goal for Argentina. Halftime started with the score 2-0 and the spectators cheered on the Peruvian team to the beat of “Cariñito” while they recovered for the second half. 

As soon as the second half started, the Peruvian team tried to score a goal, nevertheless, striker Nicolás Vélez scored the third goal for Argentina seven minutes into the second half, deciding the match. 

Despite this, the audience never stopped cheering and, after the match, they gave the Peruvian team a standing ovation for their effort and the grit they put into each play. 

Brazil undefeated in football 5-a-side 

In the first match of this competition day, the Brazilian team beat the Mexican team 3 to 0, with three goals from striker Ricardo Steinmtez. With this result, Brazil’s team remains undefeated in this sport. 

The next match will be on Wednesday, August 28, when Peru plays Colombia at 20:00. Earlier that day, Argentina will play Costa Rica and the Brazil versus Costa Rica match will follow.