The start of the Parapan American Games will also mark the beginning of the second period of one of the most important and significant experiences that Lima 2019 has promoted in the social and educational fields: the “Soy Lima 2019” campaign.  

In its first period, all the emotion of Lima 2019 was introduced in 31 schools of Lima Metropolitan Area, seeking to promote—through different types of activations, socio-cultural shows and visits from the athletes and Para athletes—the Olympic and Paralympic values of the Games among the students.  

Now, in this second period, the schoolchildren will be able to visit the Lima 2019 venues to witness how these values are impersonated by the best Para athletes of the Americas.  

At the beginning, “Soy Lima 2019” benefited 31000 students between April and June. This time, the number of schools will increase because it will also include the people that already participated in the campaign of the Ministry of Education, through the Peruvian Institute of Sports (IPD), named “Top Peru at Schools” and the “Callao es Lima” campaign, organized by the Regional Government of Callao, which aimed to promote the sports and Para sports of these Games.  

Thus, a total of 57 schools will receive 35,140 tickets (22,121 tickets will be for competitions that take place during the day and 13,019 in the late-afternoon.) Additionally, the students will have to be accompanied by teachers, parents and/or people from the Regional Directorate of Education of Lima (DRELM) and the Regional Directorate of Education of Callao (DREC). To this end, coordination is being carried out with these bodies. 

It is expected that this initiative becomes a significant experience, that will make Paralympic values, such as courage and determination, the motor the lives of thousands of young Peruvians, reminding them that even when the path of their lives is too long, they have to set the finish line by themselves. 

The first day of competition at Lima 2019 gave us a captivating and inclusive perspective on Para sports. On the first day of competition, during the Para table tennis event, a particular match caught our eye. Two Para athletes of different ages and experiences were facing off in the court. This moment proved that sports can be an incredible source of wonderful stories. 

On the one hand, the Salvadorian child Javier Córdova competes full of emotion in his first Games. On the other hand is 51-year-old Ecuadorian Paul Polo who has been practicing this discipline for over 20 years. Differences were obvious in this match, although they both were competing in class 8.  

The Salvadorian athlete has always participated in short-stature events and he even won last year’s Orlando International Open in the United States. He started sports at age 9, when his trainer Gerson Villalta discovered him in the city of Santa Ana. Thanks to his last performances, he received an invitation to participate at the Parapan American Games.  

Although Córdova’s debut was not auspicious after losing three sets to zero (11-2, 11-6 and 11-9), this will remain as a wonderful experience for the youngest Para athlete of Lima 2019. “I was very nervous with the initial points, but I cut loose and was able to finish in a better way. Being in Lima is one of the biggest dreams I had since I started practicing this sport,” said the Salvadorian champion.  

This is one of the many stories we will witness in the different competitions starting today at the Parapan American Games. Para table tennis events will be held at the Sports Center 3 of VIDENA.

The Lima 2019 celebration continues with the Parapan American Games and all the joy transmitted by Para athletes of the Americas during the competitions. This morning, Para table tennis starts the first day of women and men single competitions at the Sports Center 3 in VIDENA.

Around fifty children from Madre Admirable School in the district of El Agustino and members of “La Blanquirroja” cheered up the two Peruvians, who debuted in the morning session. Luis Traverso (class 3) and Jesús Yampufé (class 4) were defeated by their opponents, but they gave their best.  Both practice the Para sport on wheelchairs.

Peruvian Guillermo Yáñez (class 6) and Shirley Aguilar (class 4), both with physical impairments, will also begin their journey in the next few hours. In the second session of the day, the four Para athletes will compete for the second time against their corresponding groups.

The great attraction for the attendees was to see in action the current champions of the Games: Paulo Salmin (class 7), Aloísio Lima (class 1) and Luiz Manara (class 8) from Brazil.  They showed that they are the favorites after winning by three sets to zero against their opponents and giving their best on the table.

BUY YOUR TICKETS

The evening session starts at 16:00. You cannot miss these wonderful Para athletes. Tickets start at PEN 10 and there will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought in ticket booths located at the gate 1 of VIDENA and in eleven authorized points of sale.

Tickets can also be purchased online through lima2019.pe/tickets, where you will also find 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)

On this second route day, the Parapan American Torch continues uniting all the people of Lima, leaving a Paralympic celebration that will remain in the memory of the community.

The Parapan American flame began this exciting route at Óvalo Monitor in the district of Santiago de Surco. It was carried by medalist Kevin Martinez, who landed the gold in the discipline of Peruvian fronton in Basque pelota at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.

The Peruvian athlete felt gratified to have been called as a torchbearer. He embodied the spirit of the Games through 400 meters, radiating the Paralympic values: equality, inspiration, courage and determination.

“It’s a privilege to carry the Parapan American Torch and leaves an important lesson for Peru. We must be proud of our Para athletes, who have wonderful stories of self-improvement that should serve as an example for all Peruvians,” he said effusively.

The participation of Victor Gil also stood out in this first leg. He is a person with an impairment, who has been dedicated to manufacturing wheelchairs for several decades. The relay runner remarked that this Para sports event, taking place for the first time in Peru, will leave a legacy to build an equal society with opportunities for all Peruvians.

“The Games will leave an inheritance not only limited to infrastructures, but also to the range of possibilities for people with an impairment, who are capable of everything to continue shaping the future of the country,” he expressed after crossing 200 meters.

On this second day, the flame has traveled through the districts of Santiago de Surco, La Molina, Ate, San Luis and La Victoria, where the Paralympic values have been rooted to build a better Peru.

The Lima 2019 Organizing Committee President, Carlos Neuhaus, and the Mayor of Miraflores, Luis Molina Arles participated in the closing of the first day of the Parapan American Torch Relay, to the rhythm of traditional Peruvian music in Parque Kennedy.

In this opportunity, Carlos Neuhaus highlighted the relevance of being host of the Parapan American Games and being able to embody the Paralympic values and share them with all of the Americas.

“The Games will leave a legacy represented by great Para athletes, who will teach us to live in a fairer and more equal society,” he said effusively.

On the other hand, he invited all citizens to visit the remodeled sports precincts where the most important Para athletes of the Americas will gather.

Also, the Mayor of Miraflores, Luis Molina Arles, praised the excellent work carried out by Lima 2019 to offer the best Para sports event of the continent. He also invited everyone to attend the Parapan American Games competitions and cheer on the Peru's delegation.

On its second day, the Parapan American Torch will keep illuminating the most emblematic streets of the capital city, spreading the Paralympic values and the spirit of the Games among the people.

The Parapan American torch will start its route at the Óvalo Monitor in Santiago de Surco. It will then go across Avenida Javier Prado until Avenida Circunvalación, to reach Canadá, Pardo de Zela and Petit Thouars avenues.

Afterwards, its Flame will shine through the Magic Water Circuit and head for the 28 de julio, Garcilaso de la Vega ,Paseo Colón, Paseo de Héroes Navales and Paseo de la República avenues.

The second section of the torch route will stop at Plaza San Martin and continue its journey through jirón Carabaya until the emblematic Plaza Mayor de Lima, visiting the Conde de Superunda street and Tacna and Gacilaso de la Vega (former Av. Wilson) avenues.

In this last section, the Parapan American caravan will take Uruguay, Venezuela, Arica and Tingo María avenues to head for the Plaza de la Bandera. There it will go across Sucre, La Marina, Universitaria and Mariano Cornejo avenues to finally reach the Huaca Mateo Salado.

This landmark is one of the most famous sanctuaries of Lima, where the Parapan American Flame will be received in a ceremony reuniting the people of Lima with the most outstanding of its historic and cultural heritage.

Five Para sports figures who will compete in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games participated in the first stretch of the torch route, which passed through the districts of Santiago de Surco, Surquillo and San Borja today.  

Para badminton players, Jesús Salvá and Pablo Cueto; Para taekwondo fighter, Carlos Navarro; and goalball representatives, Diana Flores and Jorge Pérez, walked—and in some cases ran—while leaving on the streets the sweat and excitement that, in just a few days, they will leave on the court.  

“I was very exciting to have been a Parapan American torchbearer. It’s nice to see everyone cheering you on and telling you that they’ll continue to support you in your sport so that you win a gold medal,” stated Salvá.  

At the same time, fellow badminton player Pablo Cueto was surprised by the number of people that came out to see the torch and torchbearers.  

“I wasn’t expecting so much enthusiasm from the crowd on the streets and I hope they go cheer all of us on. I’m very happy to have been a torchbearer; I’m very moved.”  

Similarly, Navarro highlighted the fact that so many people came out to support them and cheer them on, even though Para sports and their athletes are not very popular.  

“I wasn’t expecting so much support from the public because adapted sports are not very well known. I think that the Parapan American Games are a door that opens for people with an impairment that they may not be aware of and they may not know they have another opportunity to succeed. I think that’s what is most important, besides the medals.”  

Meanwhile, the Peruvian goalball representatives reflected on the effect of the torch relay and assured that it will not be temporary, it will leave a permanent mark on society in terms of respect towards people with impairments.  

“I think that people are becoming more aware. I see it in the district where I live and in other places. We’re an inspiration to many who know this is not easy. Now, we hope for everyone’s support in these Games,” stated Flores. 

“It was an honor to carry the torch. I represent the vast majority of people with visual impairment and that helps people with impairments know that they can play some kind of sport,” said Pérez.

Lima 2019 will honor Cuban Omara Durand, one of the most prominent figures in athletics of the Paralympic movement. Tomorrow at 16:00, the fastest Para athlete in the world will put her imprints in cement at the VIDENA Hall of Fame, next to those of Jamaican Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the history of athletics.

The ceremony will be chaired by the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee President Carlos Neuhaus, the Mayor of Lima Jorge Muñoz, the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Andrew Parsons, and the Chairman of the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) Julio Ávila.

Durand was the first woman to break the 12-second barrier in the main Para athletics event; she also holds the world record at 11.40 seconds.  The Cuban athlete will compete in the 200m and 400m events of class T12 (athletes with visual impairment) to be held on August 24 at the Athletics Stadium of VIDENA.

Omara aims for her third triple-gold in these Games, after those landed at Rio 2007 and Toronto 2015. Peruvian fans will be able to enjoy the participation of this Olympic and world multi-medalist, one of the main figures to compete at Lima 2019.

BUY YOUR TICKETS

Tickets for competitions, as well as for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, are available with prices starting at PEN 10. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets are only available in the 11 authorized points of sale around the city.

Tickets can also be purchased online through the official website lima2019.pe/tickets, where you can find all the 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.

The streets of the “City of Kings” were full of people dressed in red and white, as part of the first day of the Parapan American Torch relay, reflecting a feeling of brotherhood among people of Lima.  

On the first day, the Parapan American Flame toured the districts of Santiago de Surco, San Borja, Surquillo, Miraflores and Barranco. Each district celebrated and showed the most outstanding idiosyncrasy of Lima. 

It was an amazing itinerary of 53 kilometers across the districts, where neighbors tirelessly cheered on the torchbearers.  

Many fans tried to emulate the skill of an Olympic long-distance runner and joined some stretches of the Parapan American route. They waved the flags to the beat of songs like “Arriba Perú” or “Cómo no te voy a querer,” that provided a musical touch to the route, generating an atmosphere of joy that will leave a mark in the memory of Peruvians. 

In addition to the 120 torchbearers, it should be noted the presence of Giancarlos Cassasa, mayor of Surquillo, who joined the caravan of people during the Parapan American torch route across his district. The mayor emphasized that the Flame has enabled the promotion of Paralympic values through his district.  

“The Flame leaves us a message of unity and joy to all the neighbors, promoting the sport activity as a motor for the transformation of the community and to feel proud to be Peruvians, so let’s all play in Lima 2019!” 

In this sense, the residents of these five districts claimed their status as hosts, creating an atmosphere of fellowship and celebration to receive with enthusiasm the emblem of the biggest sports event in the Americas, which will leave as a legacy the foundations for a more inclusive society.

Lima witnessed an important event for the Parapan American movement with election of the new President of the Americas Paralympic Committee. Colombian Julio César Ávila was elected to lead the APC at the General Assembly gathering the heads of 28 national committees.

The fate of the Americas Paralympic organization will rest in the hands of the current President of the Colombian National Paralympic Committee for the four next years. He was elected by the Assembly members, outvoting the current President, Julie Dussliere. The APC election had also Lucha Villar, head of the National Paralympic Association of Peru as running candidate. Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee was invited to attend the meeting.

Ávila was supported by 15 countries and therefore chosen as the new leader of the continental organization. He thanked the Assembly for its support. “I am very thankful for your confidence and for supporting the initiatives we have proposed for our organization. I can only say: we won!”, excitedly said the Colombian manager, congratulated by the whole Assembly.

Julio César Ávila Management Experience:

Sport manager with the treasurer position at Club Deportivo The Blind Sports in 2007.

President of the Liga Vallecaucana de Deportes para Limitados Visuales - 2009 – 2012.

Vicepresident of the Federación de Deportes de Limitados Visuales - March – November 2013.

Technical Vicepresident of the Colombian Paralympic Committee - March – November 2013.

Re-elected President of the Colombian Paralympic Committee - March 2015 – current.