In just two days, the spirit of the Parapan American Games will light up the sky in Lima. The delegations are joining the most important multi-sports event in the continent, and the Para athletes feel at home as soon as they enter the Parapan American Village. In this context, a welcome ceremony was held for three countries: Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. 

The mayor of the Village, Giorgio Mautino, led the protocol act at the International Plaza of the Parapan American Village in the district of Villa El Salvador. The Para athletes of the Americas expressed their gratitude for this special moment that included a cultural show. 

The Ecuadorian Para athlete, Roberto Carlos Chalá, valued Peruvians’ kindness. “We’re having a good time despite the cold (laughs), but we’re quickly adapting to the conditions. I want to leave a mark on my first Games and I’ve been working hard to win a medal at Lima 2019,” said Roberto, a T20 long jump athlete. 

The delegations of Aruba, El Salvador Haiti, Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, and Costa Rica will be welcomed today, as most of their Para athletes are already at the Parapan American Village. 

BUY YOUR TICKETS 

Tickets for matches and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies are already on sale, and prices start at PEN 10.00. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets are available at the 11 Lima 2019 authorized points of sale. 

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

“The time has come to show and put into practice all that we have learned”. That was the beginning of the conversation with Carlos Felipa, our Para athlete who is already prepared - as the good soldier - for the start of his competitions in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games.

At age 37, Felipa already feels what his second Parapan American Games will be. “How do I feel? I am excited to do this in my hometown, and I thank fate for letting me fight for my country once more”, the Para athlete added.

The latest Pan American Games with its excellent outcome and the support of the fans leave the Para athletes greatly motivated and, also, with a challenge. “As I always say, the Pan American Games athletes showed us a great example of legacy, but besides the infrastructure, the victory they have shown us will be timeless. It will never disappear, and most importantly it is a motivation for us, the Para athletes, to give our best in this Lima 2019 Games”, he added.

Felipa placed forth in the 100 meters test at Toronto 2015. In Rio 2016 he also participated in the 100 meters test, as well as long jump.

In Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, the retired Peruvian Army officer will participate in shot put and has trained a lot to reach the podium in Lima 2019 and throw as far as possible. “I promise to give my best, I am ready for this new battle and I want to win”, he added.

Para athletics will be held in the Athletics Stadium at VIDENA from August 24 to 28 and tickets are available through the website www.lima2019.pe or at the authorized points of sale.

Lima 2019 Parapan American Games will welcome 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, who will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines from August 23 to September 1.

 

The celebration continues and Lima is ready for it. Five days away from the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony, the Parapan American torch relay route was presented today at noon. The torch will be ignited tomorrow at the Fortaleza de Pachacámac, signifying the official start of the international competition.

This milestone marks the beginning of the most important Para sports event of the continent, that will gather 33 countries for the first time in our country. The Flame will start its route through several of Lima’s districts on Wednesday August 21, the day after the cauldron is ignited at Fortaleza de Pachacámac during a tribute to the earth at the main pyramid of this ceremonial site.

The Relay presentation took place at noon with the presence of Carlos Neuhaus, president of COPAL; Luisa Villar, president of the National Paralympic Association of Peru; Dunia Felices, Lima 2019 ambassador and member of the national swimming team for the Games; Pedro Pablo de Vinatea, Lima 2019 ambassador and member of the national badminton team for the Games; as well as two of the best Para athletes of the Americas, Argentinian Para swimmer and one-time world champion Daniela Giménez and Brazilian Leomon Moreno, considered the best goalball player in the world.

Other Pan American medalists present were: Thalía Mallqui, Ingrid Aranda, Saida Salcedo, Oliver del Castillo, Mariano Wong and Itzel Delgado, who arrived to support our Para Athletes and to wish them the best at Lima 2019. Likewise, Gina Parker, Lima 2019 Games honorary ambassador, participated as a guest.

Carlos Neuhaus highlighted the importance of carrying out the Games in our country. “This is the continuation of the Pan American celebration. We are happy to host the Parapan Americans Games. These are as important, if not more so, than the Pan American Games, because they convey many messages. We are showing the it is possible to overcome adversities. Also, Lima 2019 will make the city more accessible. The Games will be a watershed moment for our city, ensuring that we all have the same rights,” stated the president of COPAL.

“We will start the celebration with the Parapan American Torch Relay, that will pass through the main huacas of Lima, letting us show more of our culture to the world. The same will happen with the Opening Ceremony, which will be amazing,” he added.

CHANGE IN SOCIETY

Meanwhile, Lucha Villar pointed out that the Parapan American Games will bring change to society. “Before, not many people knew about Para sports, but now we are conveying a message of inclusion. Para athletes have succeeded in overcoming their challenges and now we are working on inclusion. They are setting an example for future Para athletes. Lima 2019 will be a celebration because we will have the best Para athletes of the Americas competing for medals. This is the big change. What’s important is that the celebration continues, so we want to ask Peruvian fans to fill the stadiums. Let’s all play,” stated Villar.

Dunia Felices, one of our Lima 2019 representatives, said she was “happy to be a part of the Games. I had to train my body and improve my marks. Para sports have allowed me to empower myself, to get to know my abilities and gain experience. The Peruvian delegation is grateful for the welcome at the Parapan American Village. We are very excited, because the sports celebration continues,” stressed the Lima 2019 ambassador and torchbearer.

Likewise, Pedro Pablo de Vinatea will carry the torch once more, like he did with the Pan American Flame before it was ignited. “I enjoyed being a part of the route and I wasn’t expecting that recognition. It was very exciting and moving, and I get to relive it at my Games. I’m getting ready to bring you joy in this competition,” said the Lima 2019 ambassador.

In addition, the Argentinian Para athlete, Daniela Giménez, complimented the Games Organizing Committee. “I want to congratulate the Organizing Committee. Everything is flawless and it puts South America in the spotlight. I’m very proud to be here. These are my fourth Games and the experience is different every time. Sports are pivotal for people with an impairment, because they allow us to have physical freedom. They also enable us to make friends like Pedro Pablo (de Vinatea), who I met at the 2016 Paralympic Games. For the Argentinian Para swimmers, Lima 2019 is the tournament of the year. We are giving it our all,” she pointed out.

Leomon Moreno was thankful for “the opportunity to be part of the Games. I’m very happy to be in Lima. The Parapan American Games will make the country grow, especially Lima. This experience is magical. That’s why I tell Peruvian Para athletes that they’re not only representing their families, but also their country. That’s why so many people will cheer them on. A medal is won with effort and heart. To succeed you need to put in the effort,” stated the Brazilian Para athlete.

Afterwards, the Para athletes gave tickets to the Pan American medalists so they can be there with them at their Lima 2019 competitions. Just like the Peruvian national football team’s official fan club, “La Blanquirroja,” that cheered the Peruvian athletes on during the ceremony and promised to be there at their Lima 2019 competitions.

 

PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES

It is worth noting that, a total of 1890 Para athletes (1247 men and 643 women) from 33 countries will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines at the Parapan American Games. The Peruvian delegation will have 139 Para athletes that will compete in 16 of the 17 sports. This is the largest delegation in the history of international events of this kind.

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 competition of the Americas and the most significant sports event in the world after the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Parapan American Games will grant quotas for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in 13 Para sports, which therefore guarantees the participation of Americas’ best Para athletes. The Parapan American Games are supported by the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

A total of 33 countries will be present at the Parapan American Games: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Granada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, US Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela.

THIS IS THE PARAPAN AMERICAN TORCH ROUTE:

Day 1 – Wednesday 21:

On the first day of route, the Parapan American torch will start its journey at 09:20 on av. Manuel Olguín and continue along av. El Derby, then av. El Polo until the intersection with av. Primavera, and keep going until the intersection with av. San Luis, all in the district of Santiago de Surco.

Then, it will enter the district of San Borja via av. Angamos, where it will cross important streets like av. Aviación, av. Gálvez Barrenechea, Vía Expresa, av. Petit Thouars, av. Arequipa and av. Comandante Espinar until it reaches av. Santa Cruz in the district of Miraflores.

In the afternoon, it will continue along that avenue until c. 7 de junio, where it will enter Malecón Cisnero. It will then move along Malecón de la Reserva and av. Armendáriz, towards Barranco on av. Miguel Grau. It will turn left at c. Nicolás de Piérola, and continue on av. República de Panamá and av. Ramón Castilla until Paseo de la Castellana.

It will keep going until Óvalo de Higuereta, where it will enter av. Tomás Marsano until c. Domingo Orué. Then, it will turn at Paseo de la Republica until c. Domingo Elías, where it will continue along av. Arequipa, all the way to Parque Kennedy, where there will be a ceremony to celebrate the end of the first day of the route.

Day 2 – Thursday 22:

On the second day of route, the first relay for the Parapan American torch will be at Óvalo Monitor, from where it will continue on av. Javier Prado until Circunvalación, making a quick stop at Huaca San Borja, on av. Canadá. It will continue its journey along av. Pardo de Zela, av. Petit Thouars, where it will go through the Circuito Mágico del Agua. It will then enter the av. 28 de julio bypass, and advance along av. Garcilazo de la Vega, Paseo Colón, Paseo de Héroes Navales, av. Paseo de la Republica and jr. Carabaya.

From Plaza San Martin, it will go along jr. Carabaya until the Plaza Mayor of Lima, and then c. Conde de Superunda, av. Tacna, av. Garcilaso de la Vega (formerly av. Wilson), av. Uruguay, av. Venezuela, av. Arica, av. Tingo María, Plaza de la Bandera, av. Sucre, av. La Marina, av. Universitaria and av. Mariano Cornejo until Huaca Mateo Salado, where the second day of the route will conclude at around 18:00.

Day 3 – Friday 23:

On the third and last day of the route, the Parapan American torch will visit the Constitutional Province of Callao.  The journey will start at jr. Vigil, and will continue along av. Miguel Grau and av. Guardia Chalaca, going through Óvalo Saloom to then re-enter av. La Marina, av. Insurgentes, av. de los Precursores, c. Parque de las Leyendas, av. La Mar and av. Riva Agüero until reaching the Parque De las Leyendas, where the route will come to an end.

Everybody can be a part of the Lima 2019 celebration along the Parapan American torch route; you will have the chance to take photos while the torch is carried by prominent Peruvian sports figures and civil society representatives. Approximately 300 people will carry the torch all over Lima.

Photo gallery (click here)

 

Juan León has overcome adversity even in the hardest of times. The Para swimmer who will represent Peru at Lima 2019 in the S7 class, starting on August 25, overcame the feeling of losing his lower limbs in an accident five years ago to become one of the candidates to win a medal at the Parapan American Games.

“Juancito” got into the discipline encouraged by a coach that saw him in the street in 2016, while working in the public transportation. Since then and after months of demanding training, he has claimed medals in many competitions such as the bronze in 100 m breaststroke and the silver in 50 freestyle at the 2018 Open Loteria Caixa, held in Brazil. That same year, at the Barranquilla Open (Colombia), he won the gold in 400 m freestyle, silver in 100 freestyle and bronze in 50 freestyle.

“These Games will be epic for all Peruvian Para athletes and will become a public legacy for future generations with and without an impairment. I hope the people watching the competitions can see us as an example to overcome all hardships and choose sport as a tool to change our lives, just like me and my teammates who will participate in Lima 2019,” said the Para athlete.

His neighbors in Pachacútec, in the district of Ventanilla, promised to root for him at the Aquatic Center of the VIDENA, as he is a living example that perseverance can break any obstacle. Additionally, they have witnessed the dedication of “Juancito”, a man who feels that he runs in the water.

“We’ll face athletes that are known worldwide, but we won’t let our guard down because we have no excuses to not follow our dreams. We’ll put up a fight. I’ve trained hard to show the world what Peruvians are made of,” he added.

HISTORICAL DELEGATION AT LIMA 2019

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

Other disciplines that were included in the sport program are boccia (4 Para athletes), 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).

BUY YOUR TICKETS

Tickets for the matches, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, are now available, and prices start at PEN 10.00. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought in the eleven Lima 2019-authorized points of sale.

You can also be purchased your tickets online through the website lima2019.pe, where the competition schedules are detailed. 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.

 

A warm and emotional welcome was given to the Peruvian delegation participating in the Parapan American Games that start this Friday, August 23. The ceremony took place at the Parapan American Village with over one hundred Para athletes, who are part of the largest Peruvian delegation in the history of these international competitions.

Likewise, the minister of Education, Flor Pablo; president of the Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus; ambassador of Cuba in Peru, Sergio González; head of the IPD, Sebastián Suito; president of the Paralympic Association of Peru, Lucha Villar; representative of the Embassy of Chile in Peru, Pier Franco Barberis; and mayor of the Parapan American Village, Giorgio Mautino, were present at the Village’s International Plaza, located in the heart of Villa El Salvador.

The Peruvian Para athletes, in proper uniform, marched excited to live the experience of the Parapan American Games, which is new for many of them. The Peruvian flag was the first to be raised at the Village and the National anthem was sung with patriotism.

The minister of Education greeted the Peruvian delegation on behalf of President Martín Vizcarra. “President Martín Vizcarra is committed to the Games and is a fan of yours. When I saw you entering the Plaza, I noticed the unity and diversity of the Peruvians who are part of this delegation. The Parapan American Games leave us with the message that everything is possible if you seek self-improvement.”

“Physical limitations are only in our minds. Your participation will set an example for future Para athletes. We must keep improving in inclusion and accessibility. We can improve together. Out continent needs to be united. The Government will ensure inclusion for all. You are winners and we want to wish you the best. We are going to keep supporting you, so ‘let’s all play.’ We wish you the best of luck,” stated the minister of Education to the Para athletes.

Then the minister visited the buildings where the Para athletes are staying, as well as the dining hall that will receive over 2000 athletes and technical officials. There, she left a written message on the wall of wishes.

EVERTHING IS FOR THE PARA ATHLETES

President of Lima 2019, Carlos Neuhaus, expressed excitement for the experience athletes and Para athletes are living. “It’s a great honor to welcome you to the Village. Seeing you march has moved me. This is a dream come true for me. Everything we’ve done in the Village is for you. The Village will enable you to build friendship and happy memories of the moments you will experience here. We want to introduce our culture to all the visiting delegations. We welcome you with open arms. We want you to feel at home and we are committed to giving you all our affection,” expressed the president of COPAL.

After welcoming the Peruvian delegation, led by their chef de mission, Jose Gonzales Mugaburu, they welcomed the Chilean and Cuban Para athletes. The anthems of both countries were sung and their flags raised. The Cuban delegation arrived with Cuban sports legend, Alberto Juantorena, who won gold medals for the 400 m and 800 m events at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games. The welcome ceremonies will continue in the upcoming days before the Games Opening Ceremony, scheduled for Friday 23.

It’s important to mention that 33 countries will be present at the Parapan American Games: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Granada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, US Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua,

Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela.

PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES

A total of 1890 Para athletes (1247 men and 643 women) from 33 countries will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines at the Parapan American Games. The Peruvian delegation will have 139 Para athletes that will compete in 16 of the 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 competition of the Americas and the most significant sports event in the world after the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Parapan American Games will grant quotas for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in 13 Para sports. The Parapan American Games are supported by the Americas Paralympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee.

About IPC and APC

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the international governing body of the Paralympic movement. Its objective is to organize the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and to act as the International Federation of nine sports, in order to supervise and coordinate the World Championships and other competitions.

The Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) was established in August 1997, with the aim of creating a Para sport governing body for the Americas. Since 2007, the Parapan American Games are held by the city that hosts the Pan American Games.

About the National Paralympic Association of Peru

The National Paralympic Association of Peru (ANPP) is the governing body of the Paralympic sports movement in Peru. Since 2016, it promotes individual and group Para sports participation. The association also works to transform society by promoting Para sports, as part of the legacy that the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games will leave.

 

The Artistic and Scenic Director, Hansel Cereza, has been involved for many years in the conception and creation of large-scale events and opening ceremonies. His vast experience includes directing actors at the opening ceremony of Barcelona (1992) and the Copa América Chile (2015), among other sports events.

Now, he has the enormous responsibility of directing the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony, which will be held this Friday, August 23, at 19:00, in the National Stadium.

“I was very excited to know that I would do this ceremony, because it is a challenge within my entire career, and because it was something that I really wanted for a long time: to face the challenge to represent all those athletes who have an impairment and who, even having them, have overcome them. They have evolved and shown us, the whole world, that an impairment does not have to be a problem,” mentioned Cereza, making a stop in the rehearsals.

A cast of almost 500 people, very motivated, are putting the final touches to what will be seen on stage for almost two hours. The show is in charge of Balich Worldwide Shows, one of the most recognized companies dedicated to the production of live shows, such as the successfully made opening and closing ceremonies of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“If you have seen the other two ceremonies, this third is as spectacular as the previous ones. All the artists, volunteers, and dancers are ready and we have produced a beautiful work that will be exhibited on August 23. We are in the home stretch,” said Cereza.

The participation of artists with an impairment is part of this opening ceremony, there are close to 50 in different lines: acrobats, dancers, and the protagonists who have overcome so much. “It was really easy to direct them. Since the first say, they acted very naturally and what I wanted was their naturalness and to show the world that that naturalness is in the acceptance of oneself,” said the director.

But, also the more than 1800 Para athletes will have an important participation in this opening act. They will be sitting in front of the stages as spectators. “Once they have gone through the parade, they are not going to the grandstands, but they will be incorporated into the stage space as active protagonists of the ceremony,” added Cereza.

As the pieces start to fit and everything the director has designed and conceptualized for so long takes shape, he is cautious about revealing more details. “A lot cannot be explained, because the surprise factor is fundamental to achieve the desired effect on the audience. That’s why ceremonies keep a secret that is only discovered the day they are performed and is never repeated again; and, that is why it is also important not to miss them so that, years later and with great emotion, one can say, I was there.”

Cereza dares to gives us a little taste of what will be seen this Friday 23: “There is drama, there is celebration, there is a dramatic structure. I have made this ceremony more theatrical to be able to tell a story; there are a lot of moments where, more than one, will get emotional. Excitement and illusion are guaranteed, but there is one more ingredient: after the ceremony, people will change the way they think and they will see we are all the same.”

The tickets to assist the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Lima 2019 Opening Ceremony this Friday 23, at 19:00, in the National Stadium, are on sale at www.lima2019.pe and in the 11 authorized points of sale. Ticket prices start at PEN 20. There is a 50% discount for under 18 years of age, senior citizens and people with an impairment.

 

He was there the day that will remain in the history of Peruvian sports. It was October 11, 2013 in Toronto and Pedro Pablo de Vinatea was honoring his role of Para sports ambassador to add on votes which would help to designate Peru as the host country of the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games.

Less than a week from the start of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, Pedro Pablo is excited for the number of Para athletes in the Peruvian delegation. “4 years ago, in Toronto, we were not even 20 and today we are 139” We are the host country and we must take the opportunity because we are a sort of new delegation. These will be the first Games for many, and we will have medals, at least in Para badminton”, he added. 

Pedro Pablo wants to stay calm, but he knows it will be tough and that a medal will eventually be obtained. “I won't promise anything. I want to arrive to a final or a semifinal without stress. Without any burdens so I can get inspired and play the best I can”, he added.

As a Lima 2019 Ambassador, his mission and responsibility all these years “have been to talk about the Pan American and Parapan American Games and that Para sports are not just a show but also a huge source of inspiration”, he mentioned.

The Para badminton competitions will go from on August 29 to September 1st at VIDENA Sport Center 3. Tickets are available on the website www.lima2019.pe. and at the authorized points of sale.

“You are all invited to purchase tickets. I am sure the venues will be full and that the fans will motivate us to play the best matches and improve our performance”, said Pedro Pablo.   

Lima 2019 Parapan American Games will gather America’s best Para table tennis players who will compete against each other starting on August 22 at the Sports Center 3, at VIDENA. 127 Para athletes divided into 11 types of impairments will try to reach the highest position in the podium where the Peruvian delegation hopes to stand out.

Trained by coach Wilson Chian Pon from Chiclayo, the four athletes part of the Peruvian team have been preparing at Jockey Club courts in Chiclayo, city where most of  Para table tennis players are located. In fact, Chian Pon has been discovering new promising athletes for more than 20 years now.

Some information about the Peruvian athletes. They will compete against the best players of the continent. This is a unique opportunity to watch these great athletes in individual, double and team competitions.

1. Guillermo Yañez (Class 6)

He is from Arequipa and he has been practicing this discipline 12 consecutive years after having to deal with poliomyelitis. In his category, he is competing using a wheelchair and these will be his third Parapan American Games, after Rio 2007 and Guadalajara 2011. He also participated in Chile 2013 Para South American Games. He is a professional accountant and he also has parallel activities to sports, as a referee and a table tennis trainer at ArequipaColiseum.

2. Luis Traverso (Class 3)

After participating in Mar del Plata 95 Parapan American Games, he retired due to health problems. However, he went back to permanent activity a few years ago since he wanted to be in Lima 2019. He is a business administrator and has a currency exchange business in his hometown. In his category, he is ready to face the current Parapan American champion, the Brazilian David Freitas. “The level of Para table tennis has improved a lot in the continent.But with my family's support (coming from home next week) and Peru's support we will try to do our best”, he pointed out.

3. Jesús Yampufé (Class 3)

Native from Ferreñafe, he’s very passionate about sports, since he also practices and trains shooting Para sport, sheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball. After overcoming a deficiency that affected his legs, he specialized, since 2014, in Para table tennis and he even represented the country in many Open International Competitions. “This time we are more prepared to do things in a better way. We have been training for several months and we will try to show our experience playing as locals”, he said.

4. Shirley Aguilar (Class 2)

She has had the chance to participate in several national and international Para table tennis events since 1982. In fact, she was in the Guadalajara 2011 Games. In Lima 2019, she will compete against the current champion, the Brazilian Cátia Oliveira, another motivation to improve. She also works as a marinera teacher in Lambayeque and she is an ambassador, in her city, of this dance in wheelchair. “This performance will remain in the history of Peruvian sports. We are really motivated to shine as locals and we are counting on the support of each and every of our compatriots.

HISTORICAL DELEGATION IN LIMA 2019

Peru will be represented by 139 Para athletes, the highest number in this kind of continental events. It will participate in 16 disciplines, where sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball will have the highest number of athletes, 24 in each (12 women and same number in men’s team).

Other Para athletes will participate in boccia (4), football 5-a-side (10), CP football (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).

BUY YOUR TICKETS

If you want to attend the competitions, besides the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, tickets for sale from 10 soles. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. You can buy your tickets only at the 11 authorized points of sale.

You can also buy them online on thelima2019.pe/ticketsweb page, where the detailed competition schedule is available. In the case of digital tickets, known as e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since customers can show their e-ticket on their mobile phones screen at the entrance of the sports venue.

Lima 2019 is ready to live the next part of the Pan American Games. Now it is turn for the best Para athletes of the Americas, who are coming to our country to compete for the Parapan American Games medals, in its sixth edition held this time in Peru.

The competitions of this multi-sports competition will start one day before the Opening Ceremony. The first Para sport to be premiered is Para table tennis, which will be held in the modern Sports Center 3 built specially for Lima 2019.

The best 127 Para table tennis players will be participating in this competition. The events on August 22 will be carried out in two turns: from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 22:00. Peru will be represented by four Para athletes: Shirley Aguilar, Luis Alberto Traverso, Jesús Yampufe and Guillermo Yáñez.

AUGUST 23

Likewise, the next day, on August 23, date set for the Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony at the National Stadium, men’s sitting volleyball and mixed wheelchair rugby will take place. Both Para sports will be starting at 08:00 in the Callao Sports Center and Villa El Salvador Sports Center Venues, respectively.

On August 24, wheelchair basketball and Judo competitions will start at 08:00 in VIDENA. Also, shooting Para Sport will be starting at 09:00 in Las Palmas Air Base; and football 7-a-side and football 5-a-side will begin at 09:30 and 15:00, respectively, at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center.

Wheelchair tennis is set to start by 10:00 at the Lawn Tennis Club, and Para athletics will begin at 15:00 in VIDENA.

It is also worth mentioning that 33 countries will be participating in the Parapan American Games: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, US Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Mexico and Nicaragua.

In addition, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela will be participating too.

THE PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES

In these Parapan American Games, there will be 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, who will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines (1247 men and 643 women). The Peruvian delegation consists of 139 Para athletes who will be participating in 16 out of the 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 will be qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, in 13 Para sports. The Parapan American Games are supported by the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

ABOUT IPC AND APC

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the international governing body of the Paralympic movement. Its objective is to organize the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and to act as the International Federation of nine sports, in order to supervise and coordinate the World Championships and other competitions.

The Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) was established in August 1997 with the aim of creating a Para sport governing body for the Americas. Since 2007, the Parapan American Games are held by the city that hosts the Pan American Games.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARALYMPIC ASSOCIATION OF PERU

The National Paralympic Association of Peru (ANPP) is the governing body of the Paralympic sports movement in Peru. Since 2016, it promotes individual and group Para sports participation. The association also works to transform society by promoting Para sports, as part of the legacy that the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games will leave.

The sport celebration continues in Peru. A few days before the start of the Parapan American Games, the festival “Learn through play” took place at the Plaza Marco Cápac, in the district of La Victoria. It was the perfect time to promote different sports, such as football 5-a-side, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball and athletics for athletes with visual impairment.

Several Lima 2019 medalists attended this event to experience what it feels like to be a Para athlete for a moment. Among them were the frontón player Claudia Suárez; karatekas Ingrid Aranda, Saida Salcedo, Carlos Lam and John Trebejo; and the youngest athlete at Lima 2019, Alexia Sotomayor.

The karate bronze medalist Ingrid Aranda participated in the kata exhibition blindfolded and also in a football 5-a-side match, where Milco played as goalkeeper. “I didn’t know where to stand at first, but the ball had a rattle that helped me locate it and listen if the ball had hit Milco or if I had scored a goal. It’s both incredible and complicated. I’m sure my teammates will showcase all their talent to all Peruvians,” she added.

“It was amazing to try out these Para sports. We’ve experienced them at first hand, and it was incredible,” said Carlos Lam, gold medalist in men’s team kata, who played sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball and Para athletics. 

“I thought it would be easy, but once I sat on the wheelchair and started running blindfolded, I found out it was way more complicated. That’s why I’d like to invite everyone to root for our Para athletes; they’re about to teach us all a lesson of inclusion,” said John Trebejo, who paired up with Carlos to win the gold in men’s team kata.

Saida Salcedo, bronze medalist in women’s team kata, practiced all Para sports and was very excited for the beginning of the Parapan American Games. “Trying most of the Para sports was the best thing ever. Losing one sense is hard, so I admire the drive of all Para athletes. I’m sure the people will enjoy every moment of it. Watching them live is even more beautiful,” she stressed.

Claudia Suárez, gold medalist in Peruvian frontón and the most experienced player in the Lima 2019 women’s delegation, joined the youngest Peruvian athlete Alexia Sotomayor in sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball.

“It’s really hard. We play with all our senses. We know how to move on the field of play. But this is different. For example, in football 5-a-side, you must develop many senses. I really admire them,” mentioned Claudia.

As for Alexia, she talked about wheelchair basketball. “It was complicated to handle the wheelchair and the ball at the same time because you had to move and dunk a basketball all at once. That’s complicated,” she said.

The spectators had a great time with Milco and had the chance to buy tickets for the Opening Ceremony and the different competitions.

“It’s not over yet. We have to keep supporting our teammates that will participate in the Parapan American Games. Now, it’s their turn to show everyone what they are capable of,” concluded Ingrid Aranda, bronze medalist in kata at the Pan American Games.