Lima 2019 opened a new stage that was remodeled to be up to the best cyclists in the Americas. The velodrome of the VIDENA opened its doors to welcome more than 2000 people in its grandstands, who enjoyed the competition among the best teams in the Americas. 

Entire families and foreign visitors were placed in strategic positions to see the competition of the Peruvian Alonso Gamero. He thrilled everyone when he took the lead in the Omnium event, leaving behind the Chilean Felipe Peñaloza, the Mexican Ignacio Prado, and the American Daniel “Hollywood” Holloway, who took the title in 2017. 

The conditions of the remodeled stage also allowed the Peruvian Estephany Valdivia to set a new national record in 250 m with a time of 22.308. The fans burst into cheers right after the announcement of this record and recognized the effort of the Peruvian cyclists, who now have the best conditions to train and compete internationally. 

The velodrome has a track of 250 meters. The track is made of African wood and, thanks to the remodeling, it now has a ceiling that turns it into an indoor stage. 

It has a capacity of 2300 spectators, with comfortable seats. The width of the track is seven meters. It has cambers (elevation in the curves), with a 42-degree angle. The velodrome has changing rooms and showers, a common area for athletes, a judges' area, as well as first aid stations for athletes and spectators. 

The largest sports event in the Americas opened August with a wide range of competitions, which will offer attendees an unforgettable multi-sports show. The top delegations in the continent will try to reach a spot on the podium and claim the gold in the most number of disciplines.

In this context, the men’s softball final will take place at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center from 10:00 to 17:50. In this first final, gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded. The finalists are Argentina, Mexico and United States.

In the evening, at the National University of San Marcos, the Peruvian football team will play against Honduras and will try to bounce back from its previous loss. The football competitions will kick off with a match between Panama and Ecuador at 10:00.

As a prelude to the end of the boxing competitions, the Miguel Grau Coliseum will house today the fights between the boxing finalists in different categories starting at 19:00. The best boxers will be awarded in the medal ceremony, including the delegations from Cuba, Dominican Republic, Brazil and United States.

Additionally, in shooting, one of the most acclaimed precision sports, athletes will compete for the gold at the Las Palmas Air Base Shooting Range from 09:00 to 14:30.

Also, the diving competitions will be held from 10:00 to 22:00 at the VIDENA Aquatic Center and are divided into two sessions.

Cycling track will feature the best cyclists in the Americas, who will give their all to win the gold. The competitions will be divided into two sessions and will be held from 11:05 to 20:11 at the Velodrome of the National Sports Village (VIDENA).

Moreover, the qualification rounds in indoor volleyball, tennis, surfing, hockey, equestrian sports, baseball, handball, basketball and badminton will continue in order to define the finalists.

To get more information about the competition schedule and results, you can visit the website: https://www.lima2019.pe/resultados.

For many people, 5x5 basketball was the most expected sport at Lima 2019. There was a lot of expectation for Argentinian basketball team and “Team USA.” And so it was, United States defeated the US Virgin Islands (119-84) today in the opening match of Group A.

Early on, long lines of fans were formed around the Eduardo Dibós Coliseum to see the official opening of 5x5 Basketball competitions and the American team players who compete at the America East Conference.

Milco, the Lima 2019 official mascot, could not miss the match and was in the grandstands to take more than a selfie with the audience. Likewise, the camera recorded the grandstands during the break time.

The first 5x5 Basketball score points were from American Alpha Diallo(#11), who scored a three-points basket. However, the first score of the US Virgin Islands team led by Walter Hodge (#6), was one of the most applauded.

Then, jumps performed by David Duke Jr. and Diallo, the top scorer of the set with 20 points, were awarded with warm applauses.

The American team had the tallest player on the field, Geoffrey Grossell (2m12cm); meanwhile, Devon Peltier from the US Virgin Islands had the shortest player at 1m81cm.  

At the end of the match, both teams left the field with well-deserved applause from the audience. It was a high-level Lima 2019 match.

The American team aims to win the gold medal again at the Pan American Games. The American team won bronze medal at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games behind Brazil (gold) and Canada (silver).

Basketball competitions will continue today starting at 13:30 when Puerto Rico plays against Venezuela in Group A. Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay and Dominican Republic are in Group B. Argentina will compete against Uruguay at 18:00. Also, Mexico will play against Dominican Republic from 21:00 to 23:30.

The second competition day will take place on Thursday, August 1 between US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico (10:30 - 13:00) and Dominican Republic vs. Argentina (13:00 - 16:00). Likewise, Uruguay and Mexico will compete from 18:00 to 20:30, Venezuela vs. United States from 21:00 to 23:30.

Photo gallery (click here)

Photo: FIBA

The USA team jumping onto the field Hoping to claim their title in this Pan American sport, the men’s basketball 5x5 team will play its debut match on Wednesday, July 31, against the British Virgin Islands. The competition will start at 10:30 at the Eduardo Dibós Coliseum.

It should be recalled that, at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, the USA team only obtained the bronze, behind Brazil (gold) and Canada (silver).

The USA team is made up of players that compete in the NCAA men’s basketball team, and they expect to start their performance on the “right hand”.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico will compete against Venezuela at 13:30. The Group A includes these four teams; whilst the Group B includes Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, and Dominican Republic.

The Argentina vs. Uruguay match will start at 18:00, while Mexico will compete against Dominican Republic from 21:00 to 23:30.

On Thursday, August 1, matches will continue with: the British Virgin Islands against Puerto Rico from 10:30 to 13:00 and the Dominican Republic against Argentina from 13:00 to 16:00. Also, Uruguay will face Mexico from 18:00 to 20:30, and Venezuela will go up against the United States from 21:00 to 23:30.

Legendary American athlete Carl Lewis, nine-time Olympic champion, eight-time world champion and gold medalist at the Indianapolis 1987 Pan American Games, will come to Lima to watch the Games. As a special guest of Panam Sports, he will arrive in Lima on August 4 and will be in charge of awarding medals for the 100 meters and men’s long jump. 

According to a press release by Panam Sports, the athlete accepted the invitation made by its President, Neven Ilic. 

“We’re glad that Carl Lewis will come to see the Pan American Games. Without a doubt, he’ll be our Guest of Honor. He will take part in the medal ceremonies for the 100 meters and high jump, which were the events that led him to fame throughout his career. The fact that he’s interested in coming evidences the appeal and importance of these Games across the continent,” stated Ilic. 
 
Carl Lewis will stay in Lima until Saturday, August 10. In his six-day trip, the American athlete will have the chance to learn about the city attractions and enjoy the world-class level of the athletics competitions at VIDENA.