Villa María del Triunfo, October 7. Dozens of students from Manuel Scorza and Soberana Orden de Malta schools brought a special energy to the hockey stadium, where they went to watch the National Field Hockey Championship, the same facilities where the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games took place.

The students, with their parents and other family members, watched the competition in which nine teams competed, five in the men’s category and four in women’s category.

The president of the Peruvian Hockey Federation, Gianni Delucchi, thanked the presence of the schoolchildren and encouraged them to, in the upcoming weeks, join the academy that the federation is planning to open for the communities of Villa María del Triunfo and Villa El Salvador.

Milco, the official mascot of Lima 2019, paid a visit to the 11 to 12-year-old students and shared a nice time with them and their families. They were able to enjoy delicious dairy products provided by the Games’ sponsors.

These schools were invited as part of the “Soy Lima 2019” campaign, an initiative that included 31 schools and that, in the first stage, were visited by Lima 2019 authorities, athletes and Para athletes qualified to the Games, who fostered Olympic and Paralympic values through activations and socio-cultural activities.

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 last meters of the race were shocking. Laura Galván sped with all her strength in order to leave Jessica Marie O´Connell behind and win the gold medal. 

At the age of 27, the Mexican athlete, born in Guanajuato, was only five seconds away from the Pan American record to give Mexico a new god medal at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. “I trained really hard and the strategy was to endure and resist, and that’s how things happened,” stated Galván. 

The atmosphere—cold due to the weather—turned warm thanks to the continuous cheers of the audience at the Athletics Stadium of the VIDENA. “There was a lot of emotion and encouragement to Peruvian athletes, but I avoided the distraction and focused on the race,” stated the Mexican athlete.  

Her nails were decorated with the Mexican flag and she showed them smiling along with her gold medal, “I got my nails done in Mexico before coming, the flags are a way to represent my country and be able to win the medal,” emphasized Galván, who also added that the ceramic Milco “is a beautiful present, typical from here and it’s a proof that the Games are spectacular.” Did you know that Virgin Islands won her first won medal at the Lima 2019 Games?  

Peruvian Saida Meneses broke her own mark and established a new South American record in the under-23 category with a time of 15.47.16. “I learned that I must use another type of strategy when facing incredible runners. Even though I broke my record, I was left with the desire to win the medal. However, I know more opportunities will come,” stated the Peruvian athlete. 

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.