Omara Durand was asked more than once what was the secret that made her the most important Para athlete in history. The Cuban athlete is always willing to share her success with the rest of her team. She loves sports just as much as she wants to make history. She has trained to make the Lima 2019 Games another victory in her career.

She was very moved when leaving her mark at the Athletics Stadium at VIDENA, always with a timid smile on her face. She created a synergy with her coach, Miriam Ferrer with whom she has been working for 13 years competing at the highest levels, improving her marks in T12 class (congenital visual impairment) which are even better than those obtained by some conventional athletes.

In these Parapan American Games, she hopes to be better with an historical triple gold in 100, 200 and 400m.  During her interview with Lima 2019, the fastest Para athlete in the world said that at 27, she still has many objectives, like a PhD in Psychology. She is an example of perseverance.

Has this being an important moment for you?

This has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will take this memory back home to Cuba with me. I enjoy all the events I go to but Lima 2019 will be in my heart forever.

You have so many victories that make you the best in history. Do you like it that way?

I feel like a Paralympic athlete who likes to run and I do it with all my heart and discipline to meet the goals I set myself with my team.

What is your source of inspiration in sports?

Since my daughter Erika was born in 2013, I learned that you can be an athlete and a mother without any problems.  She was raised at the athletics track of La Habana where I train everyday. Mis peers and my coach, Miriam Ferrer, are her family. She even calls her grandma! There is a strong union among us which makes me quite happy and motivates me to give my best!

Have you practiced other sports?

When I was little, I loved volleyball but I never got to practice it. I grew up watching the famous Caribbean women of the Olympic Games, champions in Barcelona 92, Atlanta 96 and Sidney 2000. I liked the winner attitude of the Cuban women, specially Mireya Luis who I have always admired.

After your marks and medals, what other goals do you have?

I always train to be the best. The medals and marks can not be planned, they can only be obtained. One of my dearest goals in life has been studying psychology but I was not able to reach it because I have been training since I was 13 years old. When I was 15 years old, I was already a three-time Parapan American champion. However, I am getting ready for my doctoral thesis which I will start when I finish with my sports career.

BUY YOUR TICKETS

If you want to attend Omara Durand's competitions from Saturday, August 24, you can purchase your tickets from 10 soles. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought at the eleven Lima 2019-authorized points of sale around the city.

You may also get your tickets through Lima 2019 website lima2019.pe/tickets, where you can also find the competitions schedules. In the case of e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since customers will be able to show their e-ticket from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue.

As part of the last day of route in Lima, the Parapan American Torch will pass through five districts on Friday and leave its final flashing lights before lighting the cauldron at the National Stadium, at 19:00.

In the first section, the Flame will cross Av. Manuel Olguín and Av. Javier Prado towards the Vía Express, and then turn down the Bajada Armendáriz. At this point, it will enter the Beach Circuit through a section of the Lima coast, including the districts of Miraflores, San Isidro, Magdalena and San Miguel.

In the second section, the Pan American caravan will take the Av. Costanera towards the Constitutional Province of Callao, passing through the Óvalo de Guardia Chalaca to the delight of people in Callao. Then, the caravan will take Jirón Vigil towards the Av. Miguel Grau and then to the Óvalo Saloom.

Afterwards, it will go through the Av. La Marina towards Av. Insurgentes, Precursores, La Mar and Riva Agüero to reach the emblematic local zoo “Parque de las Leyendas,” where a celebration will take place to end the Parapan American torch route. This will be considered a milestone in the history of the “City of Kings.”

Representing us one more time, Karateka Alexandra Grande, fronton athlete Claudia Suárez, surfer Daniela Rosas and wrestler Thalía Mallqui among other Pan American Games medalists held the Parapan American torch high like a waving fire flag around the streets of our city.

Gold, silver and bronze medals hanging in their necks and a bright fire in their hands, athletes ran once again but this time, everyone in the streets joined them in the movement and the sport.

“Definitely, I am very excited and immensely happy to be one of the torch bearers igniting these beautiful games. And I hope everyone can join us at the Opening Ceremony tomorrow. "For sure, I will be there”, said Alexandra Grande, Lima 2019 Games’ Gold medalist.

Claudia Suárez, gold medalist of our national sport, stated that the level of the Para athletes representing us in these Games will be very high and we must continue supporting them.

“It is a pleasure to be here and support our friends the Para athletes, who deserve everybody’s support. We have very good athletes participating in the Lima 2019 Games and, they also need to feel the support we have felt. Tomorrow, I will be at the Opening Ceremony and I also plan to go to the competitions to cheer them.”

Making an exception to step off the Parapan American torch route, Daniela Rosas, the 17-year-old athlete passed the fire torch to the Major of Lima, Jorge Muñoz at the Plaza Mayor fountain.

“I am extremely happy. It is truly an honor to carry the Parapan American torch.  I will definitely be at the competitions supporting them”, stated in the middle of the cheering.

On the other hand, wrestler Thalía Mallqui who run in the avenida Tingo María in the district of Breña, reaffirmed her attendance to the Lima 2019 Parapan American competitions, although this time from the stands.

“I will definitely be there supporting them during the competitions. It is very exciting to carry the torch... it's quite heavy”, she joked.   

Other Pan American champions carrying the torch were fronton athlete Kevin Martínez, sailor Renzo Sanguineti, surfer Piccolo Clemente and taekwondo athlete Hugo del Castillo.

The Lima 2019 specialist in labor climate and organizational change, who is dedicated to enhance Peruvian crafts during the development of the competitions, carried the Parapan American Torch surrounded by friends and family.  

“To me, the Parapan American Flame represents hope and a life that never ends. We can get through everything. I wanted to be a torchbearer to transmit the light of hope, joy, and good spirits that must always exist in every moment,” she stated.  

D’Azevedo has been part of the project since the beginning, three years ago, going through what has been an intense career, but also full of light.  

“I’m one of those who started the preparation and development of the Games, and my role was focused on enhancing the organizational change of this beautiful project that is having the success and achievements we have been working on step by step. Today we are seeing the results, because when you are persistent and decide what you want, that is fulfilled.”  

Native from Iquitos, D’Azevedo has worked for 20 years outside Peru—in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay—always in humanization and good treatment. However, she assured that Lima 2019 represented a unique challenge in her professional career, as it involved working with a big international group, but at home.  

“As a group, Lima 2019 has been very rich because it includes people from different parts of the world, there is a lot of intercultural richness. We got a project with a lot of drawbacks off the ground, always believing that if each one of us worked on what we had been entrusted with, we could move forward. And we did it.”  

Culturaymi, the Lima 2019 cultural program, reopens its doors on Saturday, August 24 at Parque de la Exposición, with great artistic and cultural events, including well-known musicians and artists, this time as part of the Parapan American Games.

Carlos Neuhaus, president of COPAL, stated that “Peruvian culture is so rich and diverse that we cannot miss the opportunity to show it, as in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Pan American Games, the Parapan American Games opening ceremony will not be the exception.”

Neuhaus hopes that this great cultural program reaches as many people as possible. “We want Culturaymi to remain alive and with a massive attendance at Parque de la Exposición, a place with a lot of history, as in its previous edition that attracted over 400 thousand visitors.”

Juan Antonio Silva, Lima 2019 Communications, Commercial and Marketing manager, highlighted the contribution that Culturaymi makes to the community through sport. “In these Parapan American Games, Para athletes will demonstrate courage, determination, equality and inspiration and Culturaymi is the ideal showcase of all the best of Peru.”

At the press conference, Peruvian folk singers Dina Páucar and Dilbert Aguilar also spoke. They are the Fun Fest stage headliners on Saturday 24. On the same day, we will see Daniel F, Larah Nuh, Outsiders and Barrio Calavera on another stage of Culturaymi (the “Milco” stage).

Other artists who will take part in Culturaymi are: Danitse, Cosa Nuestra and Laguna Pai (August 25); Frágil (August 26); Pamela Rodríguez, Voz Propia and Cementerio Club (August 28); Chuquisengo & Madueño, Elyyella (Spain), Gaia and Mar de Copas (August 29); Damaris and Novalima (August 30) and Son Tentación, Ray Callao and La Sonora Patronal (August 31).

Culturaymi will also offer the Cantos del Ande show by the Peruvian National Children’s Choir. It is directed by Mónica Canales and is made up of musicians from the National Folkloric Ballet and special guests such as Diosdado Gaitán and Hatun Killa.

Additionally, the following shows are scheduled: Faith and Devotion: Mamita Candelaria (dance), La Gran Orquesta de Orquestando - Minedu (music) and Hijas de la Luna, Hijos del Sol, directed by Rebeca Ráez (dance and music).

Culturaymi, Parapan American Games edition, offers a variety of spaces for talented people to show their creativity.  The different shows will take place in the Fun Fest and Milco zones. There will also be activities at the Culturaymi auditorium, the Lima 2019 stage, in the China fountain and the MALI and MET museums, interconnected with Parque de la Exposición, which has been specially equipped with Braille signage system and is totally accessible to people with impairments.

You will find theater, dance, cinema, performances, exhibitions, book presentations and much more in Culturaymi, an amazing cultural celebration in Lima, as part of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, from August 24 to 31, starting at 11:00 until the end of the main artistic show. Parque de la Exposición (Av. 28 de Julio and Garcilaso de la Vega). Access is free.

The Peruvian men’s sitting volleyball team will start their participation in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games on Friday, August 23, facing off the Brazilian team at the Callao Sports Center.

The Peruvian volleyball players will seek their first victory against the Brazilian team, who has lots of potential and is ready to take a medal in this sports discipline.

The match will take place at 22:00 and the Peruvian team will be supported by the local audience.

Before this match, Colombia will compete against Costa Rica at 18:00 at the same venue, in Callao.

On the second day of competitions, Para table tennis will also be hosted at the VIDENA Sports Center 3 in San Luis, where the participating countries will seek a spot on the podium at the Parapan American Games.

In the morning, Shirley Ávila (Peru) will compete against Manuela Guapi (Colombia) at 10:20 and Guillermo Yáñez (Peru) will face off Matias Pino (Chile) at 11:40, at the same venue. It should be noted that some matches will start at 9:00 and the participating countries are: Argentina, Cuba, Brazil, the USA, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Canada, Venezuela, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Mixed wheelchair rugby competitions will also be held on this day at the Villa El Salvador Sports Center, where Canada will compete against Argentina at 18:00, the US vs. Chile at 19:45, and Brazil vs. Colombia at 21:30.

Just a day away from completing its outstanding route, the Parapan American Torch continues promoting the values of the Paralympic movement, putting the “City of Kings” into the spotlight of Para sports at a continental level.

In that sense, the relay had famous torchbearers and a crowd of pre-school, elementary and high-school students who gathered in the streets of Lima to participate, greet and cheer the Games Flame, filling the environment with joy and excitement.

Mostly, in the districts of San Luis, San Borja and La Victoria, different educational institutions offered an enthusiastic and warm welcome. There was an environment filled with popular chants, along with an orchestra with show-like sounds that confirmed the status of host of the most important Para sport event in the Americas.

David Rojas, major of San Luis, thanked Lima 2019 organization for showcasing the greatest Para sport event in the Americas and for enabling children from Lima to witness this event, which will certainly remain forever in their memories.

“The entire district has turned to the streets to receive the Parapan American Flame, which leaves us with a message stressing the relevance of national and international Para athletes. It will also teach us to build a society with more inclusive and egalitarian future generations,” said the major joyfully as he escorted the Parapan American caravan.

Arnado Gonzales Mesa, principal of the “Villa Jardín” school in San Luis, noted that “the Parapan American values will change the mindset of young Peruvians, establishing inclusiveness as a new pattern to lead Peruvian society into a better future.”

This way, one day before the end of the route, the Parapan American Flame leaves a major socio-educational heritage, based on the governing principles of the Paralympic movement, enabling children and young Peruvians to build a society with greater opportunities, so Let’s all play in Peru!

Milco, the Lima 2019 official mascot, arrived at San Juan de Dios clinic to deliver complimentary tickets to the children and their families for the Opening Ceremony of the Parapan American Games and for football 7-a-side competitions, to be held at the National Stadium and Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center, respectively.

The Games’ lovable mascot was greeted warmly by Teletoni, mascot of the fundraising Fundación Teletón who joined Milco on a tour around the children’s rehabilitation area. This is the place where hundreds of children with a physical impairment receive therapy on a daily basis for their gradual recovery.

Héctor Ramos, Lima 2019 Head of Ticketing, stated that the Games Organizing Committee is trying to reach out to everybody so they can enjoy the competitions; in this case, the children supported by Teletón.

Ramos explained that their goals are to promote the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality, and to help showcase the potential of the participating Para athletes.

He recalled that, at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, over 6000 complimentary tickets were delivered. Now, they aim to double this figure so that more people can enjoy this sports event.

Meanwhile, Brother José Briceño from Fundación Teletón thanked Lima 2019 for inviting the young patients of San Juan de Dios clinic, because watching the event will inspire them to reinforce their desire of self-improvement.

“We’re very proud of several young people who received care here and now will represent us at the Parapan American Games,” said Brother José. He recalled that José Jesús Díaz, now 24, was a patient at the clinic and is now a Para athlete who is part of the Peruvian football 7-a-side team.

TELETÓN

During Milco’s visit to the clinic patients, it was confirmed that Teletón will once again unite all Peruvians on November 8 and 9.

This year, we will have to overtake the PEN 11,748,829 raised in 2018, in order to reach more children and young people with a physical impairment currently undergoing treatment in the San Juan de Dios clinics located in Lima, Iquitos, Chiclayo, Cusco and Arequipa. 

The purpose of Teletón is to improve the quality of life of all patients, promoting their human dignity, skills development and inclusion in society.

Photo Gallery (click here)

The Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony, which will be held tomorrow at 18:30 in the National Stadium, will be a spectacular night full of magic, inclusion and color. To this end, there will be accessible entrances available through the gates on the east and north side of the stadium for people with an impairment. 

There will special transportation for people with an impairment to take them to the National Stadium from the entrances at Av. Petit Thouars, Jr. Corpancho, Jr. Saco Oliveros and Jr. Madre de Dios. 

The ceremony will be first-rate, just like the ones we saw for the Pan American Games. The Peruvian band Bareto and dance groups representing the entire country will be presented. The public will live a unique experience; therefore, for the perfect development of the event, it is recommended to take into account the following: 

How to Get to the National Stadium  

• The main entrance will be by the North zone of the stadium. To access there, you must go through Av. Bauzate y Meza and Av. José Diaz. 

• To access from the Estación Central (Central Station), you must go along the edge of the Parque de la Exposición through Av. Paseo de la República. 

• To go to the opening ceremony, it is necessary to use public transportation, since it will not be possible to access with private vehicles and there will be no parking. 

• Keep in mind that Av. Petit Thouars and the roads that cross the National Stadium will be closed. 

Please note that the streets adjacent to the National Stadium will be closed from 00:00 on Friday, August 23, to 04:00 on Saturday, August 24, in the following schedules: 

From 12:00 AM on Friday, August 23, to 04:00 on Saturday, August 24:   

• From Ca. Parque de la Reserva, including Jr. Enrique Barrón and Jr. Emilio Fernández Barrón, all the way to Av. Petit Thouars. 

• Ca. Benjamín Roca García, from Av. Petit Thouars to Av. Arequipa. 

• From Ca. José Díaz, including Jr. Madre de Dios, all the way to Av. Arequipa. 

From 12:00 on Friday, August 23, to 04:00 on Saturday, August 24: 

• Av. Arequipa, from Av. Pardo de Zela to Av. 28 de Julio.  

• Av. La Peruanidad, from Av. Horacio Urteaga to Av. 28 de Julio. 

• Av. Pardo de Zela, from East to West, from Av. Ignacio Merino to Av. Petit Thouars. 

• Jr. Manuel Candamo, Jr. Bartolomé Herrera, Jr. Emilio Althaus and Jr. Manuel Segura, from Av. Ignacio Merino to Av. Petit Thouars. 

• Jr. Manuel del Pino, Jr. Teodoro Cárdenas, Ca. Enrique Villar, Jr. Mariano Carranza and Av. Alejandro Tirado (both ways), from Jr. Montero Rosas to Av. Petit Thouars. 

We urge people that will attend the Opening Ceremony, as well as anyone that will transport from the sports venues, to use public transportation and consider the following recommendations: 

Before leaving your home: 

• Make sure you have your DNI, as you must carry it during the whole Opening Ceremony, whether you are a minor or an adult.  

• Do not carry bottles, glass containers, unprocessed food or alcoholic beverages, as well as banners, large flags (over approx. 1m x 2m), bikes, weapons, aerosols, flares, fireworks, pets, among others, as it is prohibited to enter with these objects (please visit www.lima2019.pe for further information). 

• Make sure you have your ticket before leaving your home and look after it until the event is over. 

• Go to the competition venues ahead of time to avoid crowds at the entrances. 

 To enter: 

• Everyone, even kids under 0 years old, must have an entry ticket.  

• Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.  

• If you are going accompanied by a person with an impairment, or who has some difficulty getting around, locate the special entrance zones or, ask for help from the Lima 2019 volunteers, who will be duly identified in all the competition venues. 

• Keep in mind that the National Stadium will open at 15:00 and, once the ceremony starts, the entrance will be restricted.  

During competitions: 

• Do not throw objects to the competition track. 

• Do not throw water at the athletes in outdoor competitions such as Para cycling road.  

• Do not interfere with the circuit, in the case of road sports. 

• When judges ask for silence, keep quiet. Remember that some disciplines, such as goalball, need extreme concentration.  

Friendship as the driving force of an entire staging and courage, equality, inspiration and determination, as the Parapan American values, are the main characteristics that will contain the spectacular Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony, tomorrow, August 23, starting at 19:00 in the National Stadium.

There will be 50 people with impairments who will be part of the Peruvian crew that consists of 500 members, all starring in this show of lights, color, sound and, above all, vibrant sensations.

Friendship (Olympic value), as the central axis of the presentation, will show us two minors, separated by different circumstances, who meet up again thanks to sport and their courage, in the middle of a set of situations that highlights the rich and millennial Peruvian history. As part of the proposal, Peruvians will find familiar motives to be proud of, such as the Nazca Lines or the quipus.

All this will become more visible when the more than 1800 Para athletes, sitting in front of the stage as spectators, are incorporated into the stage as active protagonists of the ceremony.

This emotional story will reach high levels of emotion when combined in a perfect way with the spectacle of lights, music and costumes that will make completely understandable what we are perceiving: pure Peru.

WORLD-CLASS SHOW

Not only the presence of the renowned Spanish creative director Hansel Cereza, but also that of his outstanding compatriot and mass choreographer, Barbarana Pons, musical director José “Chick” Aguirre, and the tropical fusion band Bareto ensures a top-level show that will remain in the hearts of the world.

It is enough to remember that José “Chick” Aguirre has musicalized great Peruvian cinematographic hits such as “Guerrero” and “Siete Semillas”.  As for Pepe Corzo, costume director, he has worked with 500 colorful suits made with 100% Peruvian materials.

The closing of the show will be a tribute to Peruvian musical origins. With their performance on stage, Bareto promise to put a lot of flavor to the cold night of Lima, whit great musical hits such as “Mujer Hilandera”, “El abuelo”, “Quiero amanecer”, “No juegue con el diablo” and “Cariñito”, with which they will raise the temperature to the maximum level in the beloved Peruvian National Stadium.

The Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony is once again in charge of the Italian Balich Worldwide Shows, one of the most recognized companies dedicated to the production of live shows, as it did with great success in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, as well as at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Tickets are on sale starting at PEN 20 and can be purchased at lima2019.pe/tickets and on the eleven authorized points of sale. There is a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment.