The venues of the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games are being requested by the federations of different sports disciplines to host international competitions, informed Carlos Neuhaus, president of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee.

“The Swimming Federation has already sent us a list of international championships as many people are interested in using this venue. Not only in swimming, but also in athletics and other sports,” Neuhaus said, after mentioning that they could take place over this year and next.

He assured that the construction of the VIDENA Aquatic Center has all the conditions approved for international events. 

“We built the swimming pool at the VIDENA and it’s already a hub, which was used regularly for the swimming competitions at the Parapan American Games and will remain as a legacy not only for high-level competitions, but also for the creation of academies so children and adults can participate,” he added.

He reaffirmed that no sports infrastructure will be privatized, and that there is a possibility of bring experts in sports venue management in order to optimize the use of these venues.

Parapan American Games
Neuhaus said that the days before the start of the Parapan American Games are very intense because they are the greatest challenge of this sporting event to be held in our country.

“While it’s true that the Pan American Games received extensive media coverage and were very eye-catching, the Parapan American Games are much more important to us because they involve people who had problems perhaps at birth or in life and who have overcome many obstacles,” he stated.

The president of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee spoke at the Sustainable Development Business Forum, where he summarized the development of the Pan American Games and the start of the Parapan American Games.
 
“We finally met our goal as a country in two years and 10 months, against all odds,” said Carlos Neuhaus, who, at the end, received a standing ovation from the audience.

Photo Gallery (click here)

And so, it begins. The Lima 2019 Parapan American Games competitions will start tomorrow with Para table tennis matches, gathering 127 of the best Para table tennis players of the Americas. The competition will take place at the Sports Center 3 of the National Sports Village (VIDENA), located in San Luis.

The competition will be divided in two sessions, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 22:00, and day before the opening ceremony. Peru will be represented by four athletes: Shirley Aguilar, Luis Alberto Traverso, Jesús Yampufe and Guillermo Yáñez.

Spectators can enter the venue through gates 1 and 2 of the Sports Center 3 of VIDENA (Av. San Luis). It is advised to arrive early to locate your places calmly and orderly.

Recommendations

The Lima 2019 organization recommends spectators to observe security and precaution rules to experience competitions in the best possible way.

• All spectators, even babies, must carry their tickets.
• Bottles, glass containers, unprocessed food, alcoholic beverages or pets are not allowed. 

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

During competitions:

• Do not throw objects to the competition track.
• Do not throw water to athletes in road competitions such as triathlon, race walk, among others.
• Do not interfere with the circuit in outside sports such as road cycling.
• When judges ask for silence, keep quiet. Remember that some disciplines, such as tennis or rhythmic gymnastics, need extreme concentration for its execution.

The Parapan American Games

In this Parapan American Games, 1890 athletes from 33 countries will be participating in 17 sports and 18 disciplines (1247 men and 643 women). The Peruvian delegation will participate with 139 Para athletes in 16 sports.

Competitions will take place in 14 venues from August 22 to September 1, 2019. This is the first time that Peru will organize the most important multi-sports event of the Americas and the most significant sporting event in the world after the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Parapan American Games give quotas for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 13 Para sports. The Parapan American Games are supported by the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Today, Lima is the sport capital city of the Americas. It hosted the General Assembly of the Americas Paralympic Committee, a meeting gathering the heads of 33 national committees, also attended by the President of the International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons.

In this framework, the assembly praised the organization of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games on the success in the preparation of venues that will hosting, starting tomorrow, the best Americas athletes’ competitions.

For this, the President of the Americas Paralympic Committee, Julie Dussliere gave a recognition award to Carlos Neuhaus, president of the Lima 2019 Games Organizing Committee, and to Alberto Valenzuela, General Manager of the Games. The same was awarded to Lucha Villar, head of the National Paralympic Association of Peru.

Before the ceremony, Neuhaus welcomed the heads of the National Paralympic Committees participating the Parapan American Games, wishing the same success seen in the Pan American Games, considered the best in history.

THE PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES

In this Parapan American Games, 1890 athletes from 33 countries will be participating in 17 sports and 18 disciplines (1247 men and 643 women). The Peruvian delegation will participate with 139 Para athletes in 16 out of 17 sports.

Competitions will take place in 14 venues from August 22 to September 1, 2019. This is the first time that Peru will organize the most important multi-sports event of the Americas and the most significant sporting event in the world after the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Parapan American Games give quotas for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 13 Para sports. The Parapan American Games are supported by the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

One of the most captivating sports competitions of Lima 2019 will begin on Saturday. The six best teams of football 5-a-side in the Americas will compete for the long-waited gold on the hockey field at the Villa Maria del Triunfo Sports Center. Football 5-a-side is an adaptation of football and is played on a court of 40 x 20 meters, and the ball is equipped with a noise-making device. The players will wear eyeshades, except for the goalkeeper, who is fully sighted.

The Peruvian national team, led by Felipe Ramírez, make their debut against Mexico at 20:00 in Villa María del Triunfo.  The opponent team has just placed third at the Copa América, which took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The competition day begins with the match between “Los Murciélagos” from Argentina and Costa Rica at 15:00, while Colombia faces Brazil, three-time Parapan American champion and five-time Olympic champion, at 17:30. There will be a round-robin format and the two best teams will compete for the gold medal on August 30.

If you want to see these great Para athletes in action, buy your tickets at the 11 authorized points of sale, located in different districts of the city. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment.

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

ABOUT LIMA 2019

The Parapan American Games will gather 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, participating in 17 sports and 18 disciplines. Competitions will take place from August 23 to September 1, 2019. Additionally, 13 Para sports will be qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Peru will be represented by 139 Para athletes, the largest number in this type of continental competitions. Peru will take part in 16 sports, including sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball as the ones with the largest number of competitors: 24 each (12 in women’s team and 12 in men’s team).

Minister María Esperanza Jara Risco, wearing the colorful uniform of the torchbearers, walked by Angamos Avenue, near the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases (INEN), and carried the Parapan American torch as she did a few months ago with the Pan American in the Sacred City of Caral.

“It’s really a great satisfaction for the Ministry of Transport and Communications to have provided budget support and technical resources for the development of the Games, which will leave us sports infrastructure, medals, recognition of our athletes and, above all values. The values that we have and we must revive, even though sometimes we feel that they are a bit dormant, but we do have it.”

Regarding this stage of Lima 2019 and its significance, she pointed out that the Para athletes must be seen as an example for the country, and that their role in these Games will also attract our gaze on other invisible heroes who struggle every day.

“They are people who not only react or behave in a normal way, but also show us how to deal with adverse situations. They probably take medals, so this is really an opportunity to highlight those stories of daily heroism. In addition, the angels who also allow this to happen: we have passed in front of the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases (INEN) with the volunteers, who are the ones who give us time of their lives and are completely committed to help people.”

She also mentioned that the Parapan American flame is shedding light, not only on valuable people who operate far from the reflectors, but on core values that should guide our behavior.

“Let the Parapan American Flame arrive, so it will inspire acts of heroism and generosity, and it also gives us an opportunity to be grateful; something that we often forget. There is so much here for which we have to feel optimistic and happy. We have to take a look at these examples, to go beyond them and work to put the interests of the country first.”

If you do not have tickets for the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games opening ceremony to be held on Friday, August 23 at the National Stadium, you should get them as soon as possible, before they sell out. Secure your chance to attend different sport and disciplines competitions that will blow your mind.

Competitions will be held between August 22 and September 1, where 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries will be competing in 17 sports and 18 disciplines.

Goalball will be held at the Miguel Grau Coliseum, a sport practiced by people with visual impairment or poor vision. In addition, the Callao Sports Center will be hosting Para taekwondo and sitting volleyball competitions.

The National Sports Village (VIDENA) will host Para athletics, Para swimming, wheelchair basketball, Para powerlifting, Para judo, Para badminton, Para table tennis and Para cycling track.

The Para cycling road competition will be held at the Costa Verde circuit in San Miguel. Las Palmas Shooting Range will witness the shooting Para sports events; and Lawn Tennis will host wheelchair tennis.

Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center will hold football 5-a-side and football 7-a-side and Villa El Salvador Sports Center will host wheelchair rugby and boccia.

TICKET SALES

Ticket prices start at PEN 10 for sport venues . There will be a 50 % discount for minors, senior citizens and people with an impairment.

Beware though, tickets can only be bought at Lima 2019-authorized points of sale located around the city. Find here the closest ticket office:

-Chorrillos: Hipermercado Metro – Chorrillos (Av. Prolongación Paseo de la República s/n Urb. Matellini - C.C. Plaza Lima Sur, Chorrillos). 

-Independencia: Hipermercado Metro – Independencia (Av. Alfredo Benavides 3900 Urb. Ind. Panamericana Norte, Independencia). 

-La Molina: Tienda Wong - Camacho (Av. Javier Prado Este 5055 Urb. Camacho - C.C. Plaza Camacho, La Molina). 

-Lima Hipermercado Metro – Emancipación Jr. Cusco 245, Lima. 

Miraflores Tienda Wong - Bajada Balta Malecón Balta 626 - Balta Shopping, Miraflores. 

-San Borja Tienda Wong - San Borja. Jirón Ucello 162, San Borja.

San Isidro Tienda Wong - Dos de Mayo. Av. Dos de Mayo 1099, San Isidro. 

-San Juan de Miraflores Tiendas Metro – Atocongo. Av. Los Heroes 100, San Juan de Miraflores.

-San Miguel Hipermercado Metro - La Marina. Av. La Marina esquina cdra. 25 Av. Parque De las Leyendas.

-Santiago de Surco Tienda Wong – Gardenias. Av. Alfredo Benavides 5250 Urb. Las Gardenias, Santiago de Surco.

-Santiago de Surco Jockey Plaza. Av. Javier Prado Oeste No. 4200. 

If you want to be part of the continent’s greatest multi-sports event but you do not have the time to go to a point of sale, buy your tickets at the website lima2019.pe/tickets, where you can find the sport calendar with a detailed schedule of every competition.

In case of digital tickets, known as e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since you can show them on your mobile phone at the entrance of the sports venue.

THE OPENING CEREMONY

There are still some tickets left if you want to be part of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games opening ceremony at the National Stadium.  Ticket prices start at 20 soles. There will be also a 50 % discount for people with an impairment, senior citizens and minors.

In these Parapan American Games, Peru will be participating with the largest delegation in its history. There will be 139 Para athletes who will compete to reach the top of the podium in Lima 2019.

The Parapan American Games will be giving quotas for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in 13 Para sports. They are supported by the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

If the hearts of thousands of people were pounding nonstop at the Pan American Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, those in charge of the Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony assure that “more than one tear will be shed” at this Opening Ceremony.

“More than one tear will be shed on August 23. The Para athletes have made me more compassionate and changed my mindset. The final goal is to change people’s mindset with a show that treats everyone as equals,” asserted Hansel Cereza, creative director of this ceremony, when highlighting the inclusive nature of the show, that will take place at the National Stadium, starting at 19:00.

The president of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus, congratulated the work of the hundreds of artists and volunteers who participated in the ceremonies, with the objective of showing the rich and ancient history of Peru. “This is a great opportunity to showcase ourselves. Peruvian bands will perform, as well as those who already performed at the two previous Pan American ceremonies. It will be an extraordinary ceremony,” he stated.

The presence of Marco Antonio Morán, a young amateur Para athlete who will take part in the story of friendship and courage that will be recreated on the field of the National Stadium, was noteworthy. With a faltering voice, this 16-year-old, a promise in athletics in 100-meter sprint and long jump, showed his excitement for participating in this multi-sports celebration, alongside 49 other artists with an impairment.

On her part, the well-known Spanish mass choreographer, who has worked for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the 2015 and 2016 Champions League finals, said that all the members of the artistic crew give all of their time to “carry out an unforgettable project.”

Meanwhile, musical director José “Chick” Aguirre, creator of the score for Peruvian films Guerrero and Siete Semillas, said it will be a challenge for everything in the Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony to fit together. “It has been a very enriching experience at an artistic level. When you see it you will be surprised and moved,” he said.

In turn, Jorge Olazo, founder of the tropical fusion band Bareto, was happy that the band’s music was playing at the competition venues during the Pan American Games and now during the Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony.

It is important to note that the over 1800 Para athletes will have an important role in this opening performance. They will be seated in front of the stage as spectators and will be incorporated on to the stage as active protagonists of the ceremony.

Designer Pepe Corzo will add his amazing talent to the creation of the costumes for this act, with 500 outfits that have been made with great care and attention to detail, as well as 100% Peruvian materials.

Balich Worldwide Shows, one of the most well-known live show production companies, will be in charge of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony, as they were with the very successful Pan American Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Tickets to attend the must-see Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony on Friday, August 23, at 19:00, at the National Stadium, are on sale starting at PEN 20 at lima2019.pe/tickets and the 11 authorized points of sale. There is a 50% discount for those under the age of 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment.

Photo Gallery (click here)

The start of the Parapan American Games will have the best Para table tennis players of the Americas as the ones in charge of opening the sports calendar. Starting tomorrow, the Sports Center 3 of VIDENA will host the first discipline of Lima 2019, which includes ten impairment classes per gender.

The competition starts at 10:00 and it will be held in six tables simultaneously. It includes men’s and women’s class 7, as well as men’s class 4 matches. It is worth mentioning that the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee informed that the class 2 (physical impairment) will not be part of the event.

The current Parapan American champions are reason enough to witness the first matches of Lima 2019. This is the case of Brazilian Paulo Salmin (gold medalist in the class 7 singles and team events at Toronto 2015 and Guadalajara 2011), who will compete against Chilean Christian Dettoni (bronze medalist in 2015).

In addition, Brazilian Danielle Rauen (bronze medalist at the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016 and gold medalist at Toronto 2015 in the class 9 events), Mexican María Paredes (class 5 champion in the same Games), as well as Brazilian Joyce Oliveira (class 4 champion) will have tough battles for the gold medal.

On this first day, the Peruvian representatives will be the class 6 national champion, Guillermo Yáñez; as well as the class 3 Para athletes, Luis Traverso and Jesús Yampufé, natives from Chiclayo, who will compete starting at 10:40.

BUY YOUR TICKETS

Tickets for the matches, as well as for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, are already on sale and start at PEN 10. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. They can only be bought at the 11 authorized points of sale located throughout the city.

Tickets can only be purchased online at lima2019.pe/tickets, where you can also find the 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.

HISTORIC DELEGATION AT LIMA 2019

Peru will be represented by 139 Para athletes, the largest number for this type of continental competitions. In addition, we will participate in 16 disciplines, with sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball being the ones with the largest number of competitors, with 24 each (12 for the women’s team and the same amount for the men’s team).

Another of the disciplines that will be preset are: boccia (4), football 5-a-side (10), football 7-a-side (14), goalball (12), judo (1), Para athletics (14), Para badminton (10), Para cycling (2), Para swimming (4), Para powerlifting (4), Para taekwondo (4), Para table tennis (4), wheelchair tennis (5) and shooting Para sport (3).

The Parapan American Torch, symbol that embodies the spirit of the Games, began its journey through the Peruvian capital city in the district of Santiago de Surco, conveying a message of fellowship and creating a festive atmosphere. This journey also served to share the Paralympic values with all the public.

In this context, the Lima 2019 Executive Secretary, Amalia Moreno, who also carried the torch, stressed the importance of this torch relay as it allows to pave the way for the construction of a more inclusive society, in which the sports performance of Para athletes across the continent is cherished again.

“All our compatriots should join us and support the organization of this huge Para sporting event that will feature the best Para athletes in the Americas,” expressed the official.

After carrying the torch, the head of the Peruvian Para taekwondo delegation, Delicia Paredes, added that “it’s exciting to take part in this celebration that is being hosted in Peru for the first time and where all Peruvians are ambassadors of the largest Para sporting event in the continent.”

In this first segment, the Parapan American Flame toured the districts of Santiago de Surco, Surquillo and San Borja. The residents of these districts joined the celebration singing “Arriba Perú” and “Cómo no te voy a querer” at the top of their voices, songs that helped us claim the title of the best fanbase in the world during the last FIFA World Cup.

This way, the Parapan American Flame started its journey across Lima, where all Peruvians reaffirmed their country has become the heart of the best of Para sports in the Americas.

One of the privileges that hosting Lima 2019 will grant us is seeing the world’s best Para athletes in action. One of these athletes is Leomon Moreno, currently considered the best Para goalball player in the world, one of the most exciting competitions that we will be able to enjoy during the Parapan American Games.

Leomon Moreno da Silva was born with retinitis pigmentosa (a degenerative disease that also affected his family). He is a functional Para athlete that also competed in football 5-a-side and Para athletics. He won a silver medal for goalball in the London 2012 Paralympic Games and a bronze medal in Rio 2016, with a goal he scored against Sweden in overtime.

At the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, he won a gold medal and, at the 2014 IBSA World Cup in Finland, he placed first, just like in Mallmö, Sweden, in 2018. With this feat, Leomon qualified for Tokyo 2020; hence, if Brazil wins in Lima, it will pass its quota place to the second-place team, which will then qualify for next year’s Paralympic Games. All these titles have earned him his reputation as the best goalball player in the world.

With this, Brazil will be one of the main attractions in a fully equipped facility like the Miguel Grau Coliseum of Callao, where a well-organized international championship was held in 2018.

Goalball is also one of the Para sports in which Peru will participate for the first time, both in women’s and men’s. This sport was created for people who are blind or vision impaired.

The appeal of this Para sports is that the ball is almost always in play, which makes it very dynamic.

How do you play this sport?

Two teams of three people each play against each other. Team members wear eyeshades that block out their vision completely.

The match lasts 24 minutes, divided into two halves of 12 minutes. Each period has a three-minute break.

How do you win a match?

You score a goal when the ball, thrown with one hand, enters the opposing team’s net. The team that scores the most goals wins. If there is a difference of 10 goals between the teams, the match is over.

How are players’ guided?

Because they are people with visual impairment, the ball, which weighs 1.25 kg, has a key role in the development of the match: it contains bells inside, which make a loud noise that serve as a guide for the players.

What is the field of play like?

The field of play measures 18 meters long and nine meters wide. It has nets, 1.30 meters tall, on each nine-meter back-line.

The field of play is divided into three areas:

• Orientation area

• Landing area

• Team area

How do players protect themselves?

Players wear elbow pads, kneepads and neck protectors.

COMPETITION SYSTEM

The competition system is a round robin. Brazil will seek to win the title obtained at Toronto 2015 once again, where they won gold, both in women’s and men’s, with their star player Leomon Moreno da Silva.

The following women’s teams will participate in Lima 2019: Canada, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, Mexico and USA; while the men’s team will be: Brazil, Argentina, USA, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela and Peru.

Goalball will be contested from August 25 to 31 at the Miguel Grau Coliseum in Callao. The first match will take place on August 25, starting at 10:00, between Canada and Brazil in the women’s category.

DAY ONE FIXTURE

TICKET SALES

If you do not want to miss this multi-sports celebration, you are still in time to buy your tickets to go to competitions and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Parapan American Games.

Tickets start at PEN 10. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought at the 11 Lima 2019-authorized points of sale around the city. Learn where they are located:

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.