Lima 2019 has become a way of strengthening close relations between the Peruvian State and our athletes. This time, for of the beginning of the Parapan American Games, the President of Peru Martin Vizcarra received the Peruvian delegation at the Government Palace and gave the national standard to the flag bearer Angelica Espinoza, to bear it at the opening ceremony on August 23. 

 Vizcarra highlighted the determination and the courage of Para athletes, that have been training for several years to stand out in the most important multi-sport event of the Americas. The Lima 2019 infrastructure investment will be the starting point for the optimization of sport structure. 

“We are proud to receive you at the house of all Peruvians to give you a symbol of our country that we know you will defend with honor. You have proven that with effort, any challenge is possible, and all Peruvians have learned it. Lima 2019 has taught us about the importance of the practice of sport for our children, and its example is most valuable,” added the President.  

The President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee Carlos Neuhaus, the head of the National Paralympic Association of Peru Lucha Villar, the Chef de Mission of the Parapan American delegation Jose Gonzales Muguburu, and the President of the Peruvian Institute of Sports Sebastian Suito also attended the ceremony. 

Additionally, the flag bearer Angelica Espinoza was thankful for this important distinction. “I would like to thank God for this opportunity. “I’m proud to represent all Peruvian people with impairments. We will not let anything, nor anyone hold us back in bringing happiness to our fellow Peruvians,” she added. 

LIMA 2019 HISTORICAL DELEGATION 

Peru will be represented by 139 Para athletes, the biggest delegation so far in this kind of continental competitions. In addition, Peru will participate in 16 disciplines. The disciplines having most representatives are sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball, with 24 athletes each (12 for the men’s team and 12 for the women’s team.)  

Furthermore, there will be Para athletes participating in 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). 

Bareto, the famous Peruvian band of alternative tropical music, nominated twice for the Latin Grammy, will be one of the main attractions of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony, to be held on August 23 at 19:00, at the National Stadium. 

To confirm that Peruvians are the “best fans” and the best hosts of the Americas, Bareto invited spectators to keep celebrating this continental competition through a video posted on the Lima 2019 social media. 

“This Friday, August 23, we will be at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony. Let’s all experience the excitement of being the best fans and hosts of the Americas. We’re really happy to be part of the multi-sports celebration that will unite our country and the Americas. Let's all play and let’s keep celebrating Lima 2019,” they added. 

Bareto is one of the most famous Peruvian bands in recent times, bringing to the world their unique fusion of cumbia, ska, reggae, rock and merengue rhythms. In 2015 Bareto released “Impredecible”, an album of original material produced by the Colombian Felipe Alvarez and edited for the USA and Europe by World Village, and for Latin America by Polen Records.  

The Peruvian delegation paraded at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games on July 26 at the Jose Díaz stadium, accompanied by Bareto’s song “Cariñito,” that made the stands dance that day. 

Bareto was also part of Culturaymi, the cultural program of the Games at the Parque de la Exposición, where the crowd went mad with songs such as “Ya se ha muerto mi abuelo,” “Mujer hilandera,” “Elsa,” among others, sung by the audience that really lost its mind with “Cariñito,” the song turned into Bareto's anthem. 

Lima 2019 has mobilized Peruvians in a way never seen before and the Organizing Committee continues its work to deliver the best Parapan American Games in history. In addition, the Games will be an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility and acknowledging the effort of Peruvian Para athletes. 

LET’S BUY TICKETS 

To remain part of this huge sports event and enjoy an unforgettable show, buy your tickets atlima2019.pe/tickets and on authorized points of sale. Ticket price starts at PEN 20 (opening and closing ceremonies) and PEN 10 (competitions). There will be a 50% discount for minors under 18 years of age, senior citizens and people with an impairment.  

The amazing opening ceremony at the National Stadium will be the responsibility, again, of the prestigious Italian company Balich Worldwide Shows, that delivered the Lima 2019 Pan American Games opening and closing ceremonies, and the ceremonies of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. 

There will be 1890 athletes from 30 countries participating in 17 sports and 18 disciplines. The biggest worldwide sport stars, like the US delegation, arriving in Peru with 67 Paralympic medalists. 

The competition Venues are the National Sports Village (VIDENA), Callao Sports Center, Miguel Grau Coliseum, Andrés Avelino Cáceres Sports Center in Villa María del Triunfo, Villa El Salvador Sports Center, Costa Verde in San Miguel, Lawn Tennis and Las Palmas Air Base Shooting Range. 

The Peruvian delegation will have 139 para athletes, the biggest in Peruvian history, because in the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games there were only 16 athletes. 

With the success of the Pan American Games still in our memory, Peru is getting ready to be part of a wonderful and unforgettable experience: the sixth edition of the Parapan American Games to be held in our country, starting on August 23. 

Our country will receive 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, including Peru, that will compete in this multi-sports event where athletes with physical, intellectual or visual impairments, among other impairments, will participate.  

Our country will make a big step toward universal accessibility, as Lima 2019 is preparing to receive the Para athletes at the Parapan American Village at Villa El Salvador, where they will be housed, and at several sports venues, where they will be seen in action. 

Wilhelm Funcke, projects and infrastructure manager of Lima 2019 visited the Parapan American Village to supervise the preparations for the arrival of Para athletes and technical officials. “We are making the finishing touches to the overlay infrastructure at the Parapan American Village and sports venues. The final infrastructure has all accesses completed, ramps, signage, tactile walking indicators and accessible bathrooms for people with motor impairments. I’m sure we are going to deliver completely accessible Parapan American Games,” Funcke added. 

All the people coming to the Parapan American Games will be housed between the 1st to 12th floor of the Village, where they will have all amenities. “We have four accessible room groups for people with motor impairment, with wide hallways, big bathrooms with enough space for an accompanying person, braille language, and emergency lights. We are meeting all requirements to give all amenities to Para athletes,” he said. 

Funcke stated that the Village was built to allow “transit without the use of stairs, especially for wheelchairs. That was possible thanks to the para athletes’ advice. We are adding some ramps that were missing for the perfect transit in wheelchairs. Although they are part of the overlay infrastructure.” 

“WE ARE READY TO RECEIVE THE PARA ATHLETES” 

Wilhelm Funcke said that during the transition period from the Pan American to the Parapan American Games “a few adjustments at the venues” are being made. “Venues have universal accessibility anyway, which was include in the project’s planning since the very beginning,” he said. 

The Lima 2019 Director pointed out that the organization is prepared for the Parapan American Games. “As we were ready for the Pan American Games, we are ready to deliver the Parapan Americans Games and to receive the best Para athletes of the Americas. We hope to have the same incredible success we had with the Pan American Games,” Funcke emphasized.   

ACCESSIBLE VILLAGE 

The Parapan American Village is the first accessible residential complex in Lima. The building has 336 accessible apartments. Its design was conceived to offer accessible facilities throughout all the complex.  

This can mostly be seen in the distribution of accessible apartments for wheelchair users, the provision of accessible toilets for wheelchair users, accessible furniture and urban equipment, as well as tactile paving for people with visual impairment. 

Lima 2019 will leave a legacy of new sport infrastructure, designed under international standards of accessibility, never seen before in our country. This infrastructure will guarantee the development of sport competitions at the highest level in accessible environments and facilities. This will benefit of the Paralympic Movement and Para athletes who did not have adequate facilities to train and compete. 

There are 1096 apartments: 548 of them of 70 m2, 212 of 73 m2 and 336 of 75 m2. These last apartments have been modified to be accessible for people with impairments. 

Each building at the Village has four elevators with capacity for 18 people and wheelchair access. The Village has tactile tiles in pedestrian areas and bike lanes to ease the transit of athletes with visual impairment to their accommodation buildings. 

Braille signage was installed in all stories of the buildings. This “universal language” warns and informs people about the transit and necessary measures in case of an event endangering an athlete with visual impairment.  

This system was also installed in the elevator buttons, which are located at the sides of each building. These buildings also have wide inner corridors and 28 elevators to facilitate the transit of people with motor impairment who have to move around in a wheelchair. 

Her name was kept secret. Attendees to the Peruvian delegation presentation ceremony wondered the name of the athlete chosen. Some minutes before the official designation, her name was displayed on the room.

Later, it was confirmed that Angélica Espinoza would be honored to bear the Peruvian flag during the Parapan American Games opening ceremony on August 23 at the National Stadium.

“I didn’t expect this. I think I was the only one who didn’t know this, but I’m pretty excited to have been designated. It’s a great responsibility but also a chance to represent all the Peruvian national teams,” said Angélica, who was awarded as the stand-out Para Athlete in 2017, with only 19 years.

The whole Peruvian delegation filled the room with applause after hearing her name, and more than one asked her a picture. “We’re the biggest Peruvian team in the history of the Parapan American Games. And I hope that this encourage more people to support us. We want to prove that we can also practice sports,” added the para athlete who will participate in the under 49 kg category.

Angélica won important competitions such as the Pan American Para Taekwondo Championships held in Costa Rica and the World Para Taekwondo Championships held in London (both in 2017.) Also, in the USA she was awarded silver medals (2018) and a bronze medal in June during a competition contested in Portland.  Her participation was remarkable in the 2019 World Para Taekwondo Championships in Turkey, where she advanced to the quarterfinals.

Less than one week to the start of the Parapan American Games, Angélica’s aim is clear: the medal. “My main objective is not only to have an outstanding participation and represent Peru but make it to the highest of the podium,” she added.

The competition venues during the Pan American Games were crowded, and the new flag bearer called the fans: “We need the support of all Peruvian fans to feel at home and collect many medals,” she said.

During an emotional afternoon in which many life stories were shared, the biggest Peruvian delegation in the history of the Parapan American Games was presented. The National Paralympic Association of Peru presented the 139 Para athletes who will compete to make it to the highest of the podium at Lima 2019. The excitement of the Games will continue, since August 22, in the most important multi-sports event in the Americas.

Lucha Villar, head of the National Paralympic Association of Peru, said that she is pleased with the participation of this group of Para athletes, who inspire Peruvian young people. The opening ceremony will be held on August 23 at the National Stadium; while the competition calendar starts one day before with Para table tennis at Sports Center 3 - VIDENA.

“I’ve witnessed everything they've worked to be here. Each of them has a story of personal overcoming, and we want to write a book that shows the opportunities they should have in our society. You will be our inspiration during these days that Lima will become the capital of the Parapan American Games,” said Villar.

Peru will participate in 16 Para sports; sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball have the highest number of Para athletes, 24 in each team (12 in the women’s national team and 12 in the men’s.)   The President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus, also highlighted the determination of Para athletes.

“I’m sure that, as in the Pan American Games, this will be the most successful Games for our Para athletes. I’ve seen many of you training in different conditions. From Lima 2019 on, you will have suitable places to practice your disciplines, and national and international competitions will be held there to have a higher number of Para athletes qualified,” said Neuhaus.

Other disciplines present in Lima 2019 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).

“It’s something never seen before. Gathering 139 Para athletes for such an important event is very emotional. Now I remember that only 6 of us made it to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and it proves that we have grown substantially in Para sports, this gives us the chance to be more visible and we expect that the Peruvian fans go cheer on us,” said Para athlete Juan Luis Casas.

The first stage of the campaign called “Lima: a city that does NOT play with violence against children”, joining Lima 2019, the Municipality of Lima, and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), through the power of sports and Olympic values against violence, finished today paying homage to the sportive spirit of the Games with a walkathon.

The president of COPAL, Carlos Neuhaus, the Mayor of Lima, Jorge Muñoz, the representative of UNICEF in Peru, Ana de Mendoza, the UK Ambassador, Kate Harrisson, Regional Director of Education in Metropolitan Lima Area, Killa Miranda, the Vice-Minister of Pedagogical Management, Patricia Andrade, and the district mayors of Surquillo, Magdalena del Mar, and Lince led the walk which started from Plaza San Martín and finished in Plaza Mayor of Lima, .

The authorities together with other athletes and medalists of Lima 2019 walked along the Jirón de la Unión holding a large Peruvian UNICEF shirt which passed by the Games venues during competition.

Many Lima 2019 volunteers walked with the girls, boys and adolescents of the National Council of Children and Adolescents (CONNA), La Onda de Mi Cole (interscholastic game promoted by UNICEF and Prisma), the Student Metropolitan Committee (COMETE) and the Casa de los Petisos.

At the end of the walk, the authorities hung the shirt on the balcony of the Municipal Palace of Lima with a back having a background music the patriotic encouragements and batucada from ‘La Blanquirroja’.

“Fortunately, this shirt seems small in comparison to all the accomplishments we have reached in this Pan American Games. A way to compete against violence is working constantly and permanently, and these Games have shown that when all of us come together with one purpose that is above everything, like sports, we can get along very well among Peruvians. We thought it was very important to connect Lima 2019 to this work of UNICEF, that is above everything something good for all. We should always think that peace let us grow”, declared Neuhaus.

In that same note, the mayor of Lima, Jorge Muñoz, emphasized Lima 2019 has always been driven by unity, it along with other values shall drive the society in the future.

“I believe that these Games have shown us what our country should be, of what our dear Peru should be. But nothing of that will be accomplished if we are not together as we are now. Let’s remember the Games motto: "Let’s all play". I would like to ask Carlos to let us use this motto to say, in relation to the protection of children and adolescents, that “Let’s all play”.

Finally, the representative of UNICEF highlighted that the Pan American Games will be a great opportunity to also eradicate other type of violence spread in our country, but, at the same time, not recognized as such: indifference.

The Pan American Games have been incredible. It has been an opportunity to put Lima and Peru out in the world, and I believe it was beneficial for everyone. As UNICEF, we want the Games social legacy to be the eradication of violence against children and adolescents. We also want the Parapan American Games to have the same visibility of the extraordinary Pan American Games. We do not want our indifference to become one more obstacle for the children who struggle daily to have the best possible development”, he assured.

The best wheelchair tennis player in the world will be present at Lima 2019. Gustavo “Gusti” Fernández will carry the flag of the Argentinian delegation that will participate in the Parapan American Games, scheduled to start on August 23. The wheelchair tennis player will arrive in Peru as the singles world number one. 

Fernández is the star of the Argentinian delegation, as he has claimed three Grand Slam titles this year: the Australia Open, the Roland-Garros in France, and the Wimbledon in England. Therefore, he was chosen as the flag-bearer of his country. “Gusti” will come to Lima to compete for his third consecutive gold medal at the Parapan American Games, after winning at Guadalajara 2011 and Toronto 2015. 

The President of Argentina, Mauricio Macri, handed the Argentinian flag to Fernández. During the handover, the wheelchair tennis player was accompanied by Silvio Velo, top scorer of the football 5-a-side team, known as “Los Muerciélagos”, that features athletes with a visual impairment. Velo is considered one of the best football players in his category worldwide.  

Argentina has entered 223 Para athletes for Lima 2019. Its delegation for this Parapan American Games is the largest one in the history of this country. They will participate in 15 Para sports: Para athletics (49), Para badminton (1), women’s and men’s wheelchair basketball (24), boccia (15), goalball (6), football 5-a-side and 7-a-side (24), judo (9), Para swimming (37), Para cycling (17), Para powerlifting (4), wheelchair rugby (12), Para taekwondo (3), wheelchair tennis (4), Para table tennis (14), and shooting Para sport (3). 

Argentina ranked 7th at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, with 18 gold, 25 silver and 24 bronze medals. 

The Lima 2019 wheelchair tennis competitions will be held at the Club Lawn Tennis de la Exposición, in the district of Jesús María, from August 24 to 30. 

LIMA 2019 TICKET SALES  

Ticket sales are already open, and the ticket prices to attend the competitions and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Parapan American Games 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 11 authorized points of sale around the city. Learn more about their location: 

Tickets can be also purchased online through www.lima2019.pe, 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. 

While the national anthem was playing, standing at the top of the podium, Alexandra Grande felt immense pride for what she had achieved. She was proud, not only because of her gold medal in karate, but also because Lima 2019 was the driving force behind the close bond between athletes and fans; it enabled fans to identify with the dedication of those who represented Peru at the Pan American Games.

Therefore, the two-time Pan American champion encouraged Peruvians to continue cheering for our athletes, this time at the Parapan American Games, which start on August 22. The table tennis competition, at Sports Center 3 in VIDENA, will kick off the event. You can buy tickets to see these amazing athletes at www.lima2019.pe/tickets.

“Fans need to know that Lima 2019 is not over. It’s time to support our Para athletes with the same passion they showed at the Pan American Games. I know they’re going to kill it at the Parapan American Games and make Peru proud,” stated Alexandra.

Grande added that she hopes to be alongside the Peruvian representatives. “I’m going to be checking up on them, visiting them at the Village to give them energy and supporting them in their competitions. I have many friends in the delegation (Pedro Pablo de Vinatea, Dunia Felices, Pilar Jáuregui) who I deeply admire for their achievements.

PURE JOY

About having been awarded at the Government Palace, the karateka thanked the president for always being close to them and also stated that the Pan American Games were an amazing experience that moved her to tears.

“Now, people recognize me on the street and their warmth is amazing. It’s not something I’m used to and it feels nice. Because all my fights were on television, a lady came up to me and told me I made her cry with joy. That was something that made me reflect on how powerful sports can be,” she added.

About the historic feat of being a two-time Pan American champion, alongside skier Natalia Cuglievan, she made it clear Peruvian women are capable of great things. “Natalia (Cuglievan) and I are good friends and well, as women, having made history in Peruvian sports makes us very happy,” she concluded.

Tickets can be also purchased online through www.lima2019.pe, 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.

The Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony will be held on August 23 and it will gather 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries.

Jesús Salvá, Para badminton player, is one of our stars for these Games. He is training hard to give his best at the Parapan American Games. This young athlete is part of the top 30 in the world ranking and belongs to the short stature category.

Salvá, 19 years old, said he was delighted, excited and ready to compete. He is training every day up to three times a day, taking care of his diet and having physical and psychological therapies to be in best conditions.

Our Para badminton representative made a call to the public to support Para athletes, buying tickets and attending to the sports competitions of 17 sports and 18 disciplines. 

He also said that this is a great opportunity to promote Para sports and for the media to publicize the achievements of all participants.

“PICCOLO” SUPPORTS PARA ATHLETES

Benoit “Piccolo” Clemente, the surfing gold-medal winner at Lima 2019, offered all his support to Para athletes of the Parapan American Games, which will be held in next few days in Lima.

“Piccolo” and Jesús Salvá encouraged all Peruvians to join this party and turn sports venues into a celebration along with the best fans in the world.

Piccolo also said that he will try to attend most competitions because Para athletes are highly capable and an example for youth and society. “We’ll be proud to see these athletes. I’m sure they will reach a lot of medals for Peruvian fans,” he stated.

TICKET SALES

Héctor Ramos, who is in charge of ticket sales for Lima 2019, invited the public to get their tickets for the Parapan American Games and encourage these Para athletes.

He also indicated that ticket prices start at PEN 10.  There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment, available in the different points of sale and through the Lima 2019 website lima2019.pe/tickets

The Parapan American competitions will be held at VIDENA, Miguel Grau Coliseum, Callao Sports Center, Costa Verde San Miguel venue, Villa El Salvador Sports Center and Las Palmas Air Base.