Competing at the highest World Para swimming level was an unforgettable experience for the three Peruvian Para swimmers who traveled to the London World Para Swimming Allianz Championships. Dunia Felices (S5 class), Rodrigo Santillán and Harrison Linares (S2 class) completed their participation at the London Aquatics Center, at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with many useful learned lessons for the future.

Santillán, bronze in Lima 2019, competed first in the 100 m backstroke event and placed ninth in the final qualification. Meanwhile, he was in the reserve list for the 50 m backstroke final since he finished in the fifth position in the qualification heat and obtained one of the best times of the stage. Linares had a time of 2min2088c and placed sixth (behind Santillán) and 11th in the general score board.

Likewise, Dunia Felices participated in the second heat of the 50 m butterfly semifinals. The Lima 2019 bronze medalist placed sixth with a time of 59s73c. With this time, she broke her personal best by several hundredths. This progress allows her to dream with reaching the qualifying mark for Tokyo 2020.

Felices also participated in the 50 m, 100 m and 200 me freestyle events where she placed 14th in the first two events and 15th in the last one. Keeping our best Para athletes competing in this kind of events will allow them to improve for the following Olympic cycles.

This morning, the current edition of the Peruvian School Sports Games (JDEN 2019), organized by the Ministry of Education through the Bureau of Physical Education and Sport, was presented at the stunning VIDENA Aquatic Center, with the participation of the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games medalists. 

Two weeks after the Parapan American Games ended, one of the Lima 2019 venues will reopen its doors, starting this Monday, to host this school sports event that will gather representatives from the 24 regions of Peru.   

Precisely, the swimming competitions will take place at the modern Aquatic Center. The Athletics Stadium, which recently gathered the best athletes in the Americas, will also be used for these Games. Schoolchildren will be able to compete at the highest level in the same conditions. 

The presentation featured Flor Pablo, Minister of Education; Carlos Neuhaus, president of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee; Sebastián Suito, head of the Peruvian Sports Institute; Susana Córdova from MINEDU’s Bureau of Physical Education and Sport; and Pan American and Parapan American Games medalists María Fernanda Reyes and Piccolo Clemente, Para athlete Carlos Felipa and boxer José María Lúcar; as well as Kimberly Cardoza and Alexia Sotomayor, who competed in the Pan American Games in athletics and swimming, respectively. 

In this meeting, the Minister of Education highlighted the organization of the School Games in the venues built for Lima 2019. “Being in these Lima 2019 facilities is impressive, because they have left us an important legacy, not only in infrastructure. Lima 2019 also left us a cultural and emotional legacy for a country that looks forward to the Bicentennial with hope.” 

“Lima 2019 gave us the opportunity to confirm that we can do things well when we work together. It also allowed us to show our valuable culture. From now on, we hope to establish an alliance so that sports at school will become the starting point to reach high-level competitions,” said the minister. 

Meanwhile, Carlos Neuhaus, on behalf of Lima 2019, expressed his satisfaction with the organization of the School Games in Pan American and Parapan American venues. “These venues are evidence that the effort was worth it. Seeing so many schoolchildren here will be important, because surely more than one of them will reach the Olympic Games, after previously taking part in the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. My recent work experience was very exciting and beautiful, especially because the athletes filled us with emotion and made history with the number of medals they won. The impact of the Lima 2019 Games was positive and good for Peru. We have done things well, but this was everyone’s job. The Games filled us with pride and motivation, and made an impact on young people. We are still working here,” Neuhaus said. 

More than 2600 students from 24 regions of Peru will participate in the Peruvian School Sports Games, in addition to 154 Para athletes, who will compete for the first time in this type of school tournaments, with the slogan “Everything Begins Here”. The Games will take place from September 16 to 27, 2019. During this period, the best Peruvian school athletes and Para athletes will put their sports skills to the test in a fair competition that will strengthen a healthy school environment. 

IN THE BEST CONDITIONS 

Lima 2019 will grant the use of the 50-meter pool and the warm-up pool of the Aquatic Center, as well as the grandstands seating approximately 2400 people, for this school competition. 

They will be able to use the main 400-meter track at the Athletics Stadium, and the 400-meter track and warm-up areas, as well as the western grandstand, for approximately 3000 people, the long jump pits and the main field for javelin, shot put, discus and hammer throw events. 

School athletes and Para athletes will be able to compete in the best conditions and on stages where world-class stars shone, such as American Nathan Adrian, winner of eight Olympic gold medals; or Omara Durand, the fastest woman in the Paralympic world and winner of three gold medals at Lima 2019. 

This is how Lima 2019 seeks to contribute to forge future generations, inspired by Olympic and Paralympic values, with world-class sports venues to use sports as a tool for social transformation. 

The Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games have set another precedent at an international level by being considered the first environmentally responsible Pan American and Parapan American Games in history.  

The Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, in agreement with the National Agency of Natural Areas Protected by the Government and the Ministry of the Environment, developed a master plan to minimize, quantify and neutralize the pollution generated during the full duration of the Games, held from July 26 to September 1. 

As a part of this plan, a solid waste management strategy was developed to enable recycling a number of elements. For example, 370 thousand 625 ml bottles were recycled thanks to the differentiated bins installed and other recycling mechanisms in the sports precincts and the villages where the athletes stayed. 

Likewise, 28,707.60 kg of cardboard, 12,289.90 kg of plastic and 1,486.60 kg of paper were recycled. With these numbers, Lima 2019 avoided the felling of 1500 trees, on average, significantly minimizing the deforestation of the country’s forests. 

Lima 2019 seeks to leave an environmental legacy for the entire continent by compensating for the pollution generated and measuring the event’s carbon footprint, as well as mitigating it by purchasing carbon credits. 

In this way, by laying emphasis on good environmental practices, Lima 2019 sets a milestone in the history of the Pan American and Parapan American Games, with the aim of serving as an example at a continental level for upcoming competitions. 

Carlos Neuhaus, president of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, received the Medal of the Order of the Chamber for the work carried out in the Lima 2019 Games. 

Lima 2019 has left lasting memories in the country because of its successful delivery and the joys the athletes and Para athletes gave us with their outstanding performances and record breaking have put the world’s spotlight on Peru. 

For this reason, the Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL) through their president, Yolanda Torriani, recognized the organization of the largest multi-sports event in the continent, which took place for the first time in Peru, by awarding Carlos Neuhaus the Medal of the Order of the Chamber in the grade of “Gran Oficial,” for his outstanding work as the team leader that made the success of the Lima 2019 Games possible. 

The Foreign Trade and Tourism minister, Edgar Vasquez; the mayor of Lima, Jorge Muñoz; the United Kingdom ambassador, Kate Harrisson; and representatives of several agencies that are part of the Chamber of Commerce were all present at the ceremony. 

Carlos Neuhaus highlighted the role of the Lima Chamber of Commerce in the development of the Games, as they were the ones who supported the call of the companies that participated in the different tendering processes for the main infrastructure projects developed for Lima 2019. 

“We have worked as a team and this recognition is for everyone who gave their time for the success of the Games. We were able to develop the plans by having, among other things, a Government-to-Government Agreement with the United Kingdom. Peru is the only country that applied this method for management while other countries use it only for purchases. We are now working on the legacy, in order to make the most of everything that was built and remodeled for Lima 2019. Sports are never going to be an expense, they are an investment,” commented Neuhaus.

“The Chamber of Commerce was very important for Lima 2019, because they helped call over 800 people, in the first stage, who were representatives from more than 300 companies that later participated in a transparent tendering processes for the main infrastructure projects. They were part of our success. We had a great experience, and even more so in the Parapan American Games with our hero athletes. We had media coverage of over a billion dollars and over 400 million people all over the world followed the competitions,” added the Lima 2019 president. 

Meanwhile the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Yolanda Torriani, praised the work carried out by Carlos Neuhaus and the Lima 2019 team. “This has been one of the greatest events due to its organization and results. We have proven that Peruvians are capable of getting things done if there is a steadfast determination to make them happen. The organization brought together efficacy and determination, and that gave us these unforgettable Games. They are leaving a valuable legacy for Peru and have made the country shine at an international level. We hope that the Games’ model is replicated in other projects,” stated Torrani during her speech before giving the medal to Carlos Neuhaus.

Medalist from the Pan American and Parapan American Games, the ones who left everything on the field to give us more than one joy, received an award from the Mayor of Lima, Jorge Muñoz, in the presence of the President of Peru, Martín Vizcarra. 

Once the ceremony was over, one of them had to take the floor and the responsible was the Parapan American Para badminton champion, who excitedly stated: “I want to thank you for this moment, as it will help us to move forward.”  

Pilar pointed out that the opinion towards the Para athletes has changed a lot thanks to the Games. “Lima 2019 has given us many opportunities, not only in terms of sports but also socially, as these Games have allowed our country to continue growing with respect, values and to become a more inclusive society.”  

Lima 2019 Ambassador said that the Games allowed the athletes and Para athletes to fulfill their dreams of being champions. “Lima 2019 is not over, this has just began, because in terms of sports, society and education, we have to move forward,” she added.   

The following Parapan American medalists were also present in the ceremony: Pedro Pablo de Vinatea, Angélica Espinoza, Rosbil Guillén, Jorge Arcela, Carlos Felipa, William Fernández, Jesús Salvá and Fred Villalobos.  

Likewise, the following Pan American medalists also attended this celebration: John Trebejo, Carlos Lam, Natalia Cuglievan, Alonso Wong, María Fernanda Reyes, Marcela Castillo, Leodan Pezo, José María Lúcar, Yuliana Bolívar, Sol Romaní, Saida Salcedo, Mallory Aco, Ariana Vera, Renzo Saux, Marko Carrillo, Nicolás Pacheco, Luis Bardelez, Thalía Mallqui, Nathaly Paredes, Mía Rodríguez, Itzel Delgado, and Hugo del Castillo, who was represented by his father.  

In this meeting—attended by the President of the National Paralympic Association of Peru, Luisa Villar, and the International Olympic Committee representative, Iván Dibós—the President of the Lima 2019 Games Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus, also received an award.  

Thus, a fair recognition was given to our athletes and Para athletes, who heightened Peru’s name at Lima 2019.

The “Beyond Lima 2019” program ended with the phrase “We all did it.” This workshop, conducted by the Pan American and Parapan American Games Organizing Committee, lasted two days and recognized the great work carried out by the personnel. 

This workshop served as a job transition guide for all those attending, once their employment with Lima 2019 ends. It also gave them the opportunity to define future professional projects, to develop an action plan and to gain or reinforce skills or tools that will help them face the demands of the current job market. 

Lima 2019 Sports Director Gustavo San Martin said that this was a way for the organization to thank and congratulate the entire team for their efforts to make the Pan American and Parapan American Games a success. 

San Martin also called on all Lima 2019 staff members to feel proud of what they have done because it will be one of their main strengths and  they must make the most of it when the time comes to acquire a new job, whether it is in the public or private sector, dependent or freelance. 

“We concluded a successful project and proved we’re great professionals. We are very thankful for your great efforts. You truly did it yourselves and of that we should be very proud,” he said with emotion. 

It is important to point out that the “Beyond Lima 2019” program was developed with the objective of contributing with the professional lives of everyone who were a part of Lima 2019, and help them take the necessary steps towards finding a clear life mission. 

The Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games have allowed more citizens to participate in sports activities and appreciate the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle in accessible, pleasant and sustainable facilities that enable social cohesion with an inclusive approach. 

As a result, the main venues of the Lima 2019 Games will host the National School Sports Games (JDEN 2019), organized by the Bureau of Physical Education and Sport (DEFID) from the Ministry of Education. 

The Athletics Stadium and the Aquatic Center located at the National Sports Village (VIDENA), where the most outstanding athletes of the continent competed, will host the JDEN 2019 competitions. 

The National School Sports Games will take place from September 16 to 27, 2019, and the best Peruvian school athletes and Para athletes will test their skills in a healthy competitive environment to strengthen positive relationships among the students. 

The purpose of the JDEN is to promote and cultivate sports talent among students and foster values for comprehensive training and reinforcement of different learning approaches established in the National Curriculum of Basic Education. 

Thus, Lima 2019 aims to develop future generations, inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic values, to build a country where sports are the main factor of social transformation favoring inclusion, integration and healthy lifestyles behaviors. 

The president of the Lima 2019 Games Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus, was decorated this afternoon for his outstanding work leading the team that successfully prepared and developed the largest multi-sports celebration of the continent in Peru. 

On behalf of the Municipality of Lima, Mayor Jorge Muñoz conferred the Order of Merit Medal in the rank of “Gran Cruz” to Carlos Neuhaus for organizing the best Pan American and Parapan American Games in the history of the continent, as recognized by international organizations such as Panam Sports and the Americas Paralympic Committee. The ceremony was held in Salón de los Espejos at the Palacio Municipal of Lima, and the President Martín Vizcarra and the medalists of the Pan American and Parapan American Games were also present. 

This recognition became official under Municipal Resolution 432-2019, which acknowledges the work of Carlos Neuhaus at Lima 2019, including sports competitions, the worldwide exposure of Peruvian culture and the social inclusion work carried out thanks to the success of the Games. 

Carlos Neuhaus, who had previously been recognized by the president of Peru and Peruvian Congress, thanked them for awarding him the medal of the city. “All the work we did was for the athletes. Each medal they won was a recognition for us. That’s why we celebrated each of their victories. I’m very grateful for this honor. To tell you the truth, I didn’t expect this distinction, but it is very important to me because this medal was also awarded to my father many years ago. I’m honored to receive this medal on behalf of the city,” said the president of COPAL.  

Meanwhile, Mayor Muñoz highlighted the work of the Organizing Committee and the participation of athletes and Para athletes at Lima 2019. “Thanks to Lima 2019 we have a more inclusive city. The motto ‘Let’s All Play’ was accomplished, and the Games have helped elevate Lima. The athletes infected us with their optimism and unity. They taught us a lesson about what can we achieve as Peruvians. Everything is possible if we are united. The Games leave a huge legacy and a more inclusive Lima. Thanks to the Organizing Committee, because they proved that when we dream big, we can do extraordinary things. Thanks for the good times.” 

“To the athletes who filled us with pride and taught us life lessons during the Parapan American Games: You’re etched on my heart and you inspire us. We’re going to work to achieve universal accessibility. By the end of our term, we want a more inclusive Lima. Lima 2019 proved to us that everything is possible. That is why, I would like to thank those who organized and participated in the Games on behalf of Lima,” added major Muñoz.  

Muchos momentos quedarán en nuestros recuerdos, comenzando el 22 de agosto, cuando comenzaron las competiciones de los Juegos Parapanamericanos Lima 2019 . Un total de 1890 atletas para para de 30 países que nos visitaron en Lima 2019 nos dieron hermosos momentos de victoria y pérdida; Permanecerán para siempre en los recuerdos de todos.

1. La chilena Tamara Leonelli ganó la primera medalla de oro en Lima 2019 en el segundo día de competencia y se convirtió en la primera en clasificarse para los Juegos Paralímpicos de Tokio 2020.
2. El Estadio Nacional estuvo abarrotado durante la Ceremonia de Apertura de los Juegos Parapanamericanos de Lima 2019, que impresionó a todos con la inclusión emocional de las personas con discapacidad en el espectáculo. El campeón paralímpico peruano Jimmy Eulert fue elegido para encender el caldero.
3. La para atleta Rosbil Guillén ganó la primera medalla de oro para Perú en la clase T11 de 1500 metros. Con esta victoria, el atleta Para de Huancayo se vengó, ya que días antes había perdido la medalla de oro en los 5000 metros después de ser descalificado por separarse de su guía en la línea de meta.
4. Perú alcanzó un número histórico de medallas de oro en los Juegos Parapanamericanos con las victorias de Pedro Pablo de Vinatea y Pilar Jáuregui en el bádminton Para. Para ciclista Israel Hilario y la atleta de Para taekwondo Angélica Espinoza también encabezaron el podio para un total de cinco medallas de oro. Además, Perú reclamó tres medallas de plata y siete de bronce, lo que representa un total de 15 medallas.
5. Brasil encabezó la mesa final de medallas por cuarta vez consecutiva en los Juegos Parapanamericanos. Con la mayor delegación en su historia, Brasil también superó el mayor número de medallas en un solo evento continental: 124 de oro y 308 en total. Un récord impresionante.
6. México, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador y Colombia también superaron sus mejores actuaciones en la historia de los Juegos Parapanamericanos.
7. El judoca mexicano Eduardo Ávila entró en la historia del deporte en su país después de ganar su cuarto título parapanamericano consecutivo. Con sus dos medallas de oro en los Juegos Paralímpicos de Beijing 2008 y Río 2016, y otros dos títulos mundiales, es considerado como uno de los judokas más exitosos de América.
8. La para atleta brasileña Verónica Hipólito es el mejor ejemplo de que todo es posible en la vida. Después de superar dos cirugías en la cabeza que la dejaron en cama durante dos años, llegó al último lugar de la cuota unos días antes del inicio de Lima 2019. Los médicos le dieron pocas oportunidades de competir nuevamente y ganar medallas, ya que asumieron que esto era poco probable . Sin embargo, ganó tres medallas de plata y todo el continente estaba encantado con su historia de superación personal.
9. Después de ganar el evento de estilo libre de 50 metros, la nadadora de Para, Joana Silva, rompió a llorar en el podio. Meses antes, había perdido a su padre y estaba a punto de abandonar esta disciplina. Sin embargo, ella se recuperó, prometiéndole a su difunto padre que haría lo mejor que pudiera, y así sucedió: ganó seis medallas en Lima 2019, un total de 15 desde su debut en los Juegos Parapanamericanos de Guadalajara 2011.
10. Las gemelas brasileñas Debora y Beatriz Carneiro fueron una curiosidad en los Juegos. Han estado entrenando juntos desde que eran niños y, cuando compiten entre ellos, siempre comparten los títulos. En Lima 2019, obtuvieron el primer y segundo lugar en los eventos de braza de 100m y de popurrí individual de 200m. Por supuesto, Debora ganó el primer evento y Beatriz el segundo, para mantener la tradición.
11. Brasil ganó en el fútbol 5, un deporte para personas con discapacidad visual, alcanzando la gloria de los Juegos Parapanamericanos por cuarta vez en el Centro Deportivo Villa María del Triunfo. Los cinco veces campeones mundiales derrotaron a Argentina por 2-0 en la final, con las estrellas Jefinho y Cassio anotando los goles ganadores.
12. El equipo brasileño de fútbol 7, compuesto por personas con parálisis cerebral, también se llevó la medalla de oro después de derrotar a Argentina. Con esta victoria, los "canarinhos" aseguraron su tercer título en la competencia, después de ganar en Río 2007 y Toronto 2015.
13. En el juego más emotivo de Lima 2019, Canadá venció a Estados Unidos en la final de baloncesto femenino en silla de ruedas. El equipo femenino canadiense ganó el partido por una diferencia de tres puntos, pero este juego apretado se fue al grano, ya que los estadounidenses estaban en posesión de la pelota en la última jugada. Tenían ocho segundos para jugar, pero perdieron su última oportunidad de igualar y forzar un período de tiempo extra. Así es el deporte: no hay ganadores hasta que termine la competencia.
14. Con más de 170,000 espectadores, Lima 2019 batió un récord de asistencia a los Juegos Parapanamericanos. Además de este hito, Lima 2019 fue considerada la competencia multideportiva mejor organizada en la historia parapanamericana, así como el evento con el sistema de transporte más accesible en todas las ediciones de los Juegos.
15. El penúltimo día de la competencia Para Badminton se jugó en un ambiente deportivo emocional, lleno de fanáticos peruanos en el Centro Deportivo 2 de VIDENA, incluida la base oficial de fanáticos de Perú, "La Blanquirroja". El mismo día en que Pedro Pablo de Vinatea reclamó oro para Perú, el guatemalteco Raúl Anguiano hizo historia para su país después de ganar su primera y única medalla de oro en seis ediciones de los Juegos Parapanamericanos.

The successful development of the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games is an invaluable source of inspiration for future Peruvian generations. In that regard, there is no doubt Lima 2019 will leave a socio-educational legacy that will become the stepping stone to a better country.

For this reason, the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee President, Carlos Neuhaus, was invited to the opening ceremony of the Villa Caritas and San Pedro Schools cultural week. He delivered a master lecture on the achievements that have placed Lima 2019 as the best Games in the history of the Americas.

The COPAL president stated, amid the cheers of all the students, his gratitude for the warm welcome, leaving a message of unity and leadership.

“We can achieve great things when we work toward a common goal. Hosting the Pan American and Parapan American Games is evidence that we can achieve what we want as a country,” he excitedly said before all the audience.

In turn, Edith Garcia, Vice-principal of both schools, congratulated Neuhaus on their behalf for the success of the Games while recalling their famous motto.

“We’re so proud as a nation to have been Games hosts. We’ve seen the dreams of so many athletes come true. And this was all possible thanks to the team led by Mr. Neuhaus, who did everything to make this possible and as the Games’ motto goes, let’s all play,” she said emphatically. 

Afterwards, a constructive brainstorming session between Neuhaus and the students took place, where he emphasized one of the aspects that ensured the great management of Lima 2019.

“It was critical to build a work team full of determination, courage and commitment to give the best impression of Peru, bringing out the best in themselves to achieve this goal”, he commented.

At the end, Neuhaus received an honorary distinction and a handcrafted present from the Head Prefects of both private schools.