Fifteen children eagerly awaited Lima 2019 Ambassador, Dunia Felices.  The young students at Centro Educativo Especializado Kullay school, dressed in the Peruvian flag colors, prepared a special medal for her and drawings of her, which decorated the classroom.

When she entered, the children shouted her name in unison and applauded her. “It's been very motivating for me to receive this recognition from Kullay’s schoolchildren. Here they work with children diagnosed with different conditions, but what I'll take with me today is the love and desire they put into life,” Dunia said.

“They have made me a medal with a K for Kullay, which means love, and I see myself sitting without any restrictions, with my stumps, next to the swimming pool. I never imagined I'd be welcomed like this; they used art, painting and I'm so touched by this,” she said.

One of the most significant moments was when Dunia introduced Milco, Lima 2019 official mascot. “They knew who Milco was, who Dunia was, and I feel very proud of it, because as an Ambassador it was my duty to carry the spirit of the Games. That is the great legacy that Lima 2019 leaves in the hearts of all Peruvians,” she stressed.   

School Principal Viviana Salvador could not conceal her joy at having Dunia and Milco, who spread joy among the children who, in turn, learned a lot about the Pan American and Parapan American Games. “They love Milco; he's a character that has earned a place in the heart of all Peruvians. Our kids have difficulties, so Dunia's presence is a motivation for them to work hard, push forward and keep going. They leave us with a great lesson about life, courage and never giving up,” she said.

Dunia recently participated in the World Swimming Championship in London. “It's a difficult and long path, but Lima 2019 has been my biggest motivation to aim for the Paralympic Games and I will work toward that goal,” concluded the Lima 2019 Ambassador.

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.

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.

Lima 2019 awarded over 1500 medalists throughout the 11 days of the largest multi-sports event in the continent. We still get a feeling of nostalgia when we remember the best Parapan American Games in history, in which spectators witnessed the high competition level of the great stars and new talents in the Americas. 

Check the best photos of these figures here

The best Para athletes are listed below:

1.    Omara Durand (Cuba) Para athletics T12

The fastest woman of the Paralympic movement made history at Lima 2019 after winning three gold medals at the Parapan American Games for the third time in a row. The Cuban athlete earned the victory in 100, 200 and 400 m. Besides, she broke the Parapan American record in 400 and 200 m events (she even did it twice in the latter).

2.    Petrúcio Ferreira (Brazil) Para athletics T47

The Brazilian Para athlete arrived at Lima with two world records in 100 and 200 m, and he did not disappoint at all. He claimed the gold in 100 and 400 m and a silver in mixed relay, repeating his success of Toronto 2015. In the 100 m, he even surprised us all by setting two new records on the same day.

3.    Daniel Dias (Brazil) Para swimming S5

The best Para swimmer of all times took home six gold medals at Lima 2019. These new victories added up to the total of 33 golds he has obtained along his four Parapan American Games finals. So far, Dias has won 77 gold medals in his career, including 14 Paralympic medals and 30 world titles. He is, for sure, a true sport legend.

4.    Gustavo Fernández (Argentina) wheelchair tennis

The best wheelchair tennis player of the world circuit obtained his third consecutive gold medal in the Games and his second gold in doubles. This way, “Gusti” finished the year on a high note, as he arrived in Lima as the champion of three Grand Slam tournaments: the 2019 Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon. What a legend!

5.    José de Jesús Castillo (Mexico) Para powerlifting

The best Para powerlifter of the Americas rose to the top at Lima 2019 after winning the gold in the -107 kg weight class, his fourth consecutive title in the Games. “Chuy” has now a secure a spot among the top Para powerlifters in this discipline.

6.    Amalia Pérez (Mexico) Para powerlifting

She snatched her fourth gold medal at the Parapan American Games in the -55 kg weight class, breaking the Parapan American record. The Mexican is also a five-time Paralympic medalist.

7.    Yanina Martínez (Argentina) Para athletics T36

She repeated her success of Toronto 2015, by winning the gold in both 100 and 200 m in Lima. Her next challenge is to defend the 100 m title she claimed at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

8.    Sara Vargas (Colombia) Para swimming S6

The new Para swimming talent of our continent earned four golds and one silver at just 12 years old in her first major event ever. Also, she broke five Parapan American records, becoming one of the best Para athletes in the Americas.

9.    Phelipe Melo (Brazil) Para swimming S10

He crowned himself as the Para athlete with the most medals at Lima 2019, with seven golds and one bronze.
 So far, he has collected 22 medals in three Parapan American Games.

10.  Nelson Crispín (Colombia) Para swimming S6

He broke his own record by taking home five golds, one silver and one bronze, surpassing the number of medals achieved in Toronto (three golds, two silvers and one bronze medal). What is more, he broke the 100 m breaststroke world record.

11.  Carlos Serrano (Colombia) Para swimming S7

At Lima 2019, he surpassed his Toronto 2015 achievements with seven medals (five golds, one silver and one bronze), thus breaking five Parapan American records.
 His next challenge is to go beyond the three Paralympic medals he obtained at Río 2016 (one, gold, one silver and one bronze).

12.  Naomí Somellera (Mexico) Para swimming S7

At age 20, she showed us all she is at the top of her game, by collecting six gold medals at Lima 2019.
 This way, she surpassed her Toronto 2015 performance, where she picked up two medals.

13.  Alberto Abarza (Chile) Para swimming S2

The Chilean flag-bearer claimed three golds and two silvers, setting the Parapan American record in four events.

14.  Wimana Stewart (Trinidad and Tobago) Para athletics F43

She snatched two gold medals, breaking the Parapan American and world record in discus throw, as well as the Parapan American record in javelin throw twice.

15.  Matías Pino (Chile) Wheelchair tennis TT6

He claimed two Parapan American titles and helped his country achieve its best performance in the Games.

16.  Clara Brown (United States) Para cycling C1-C3

She won three golds (one on track and two on road) and one bronze in track cycling, thus breaking three Parapan American records.

17.  Fabricio Barros (Brazil) Para athletics T12

To everyone’s surprise, he earned the victory in the 100 m event, defeating favorites such as Noah Malone from the USA and Leinier Savón from Cuba. Besides, he broke the 100 m Parapan American record in his category with a time of 10.97.

18.  Nicholas Bennett (Canada) Para swimming S14

At age 15, he is the new Canadian Paralympic star, and he made it clear to everyone by taking three gold medals and one silver in Lima 2019. He is one of the most well-rounded Para swimmers in the continent, as he has won medals in all four styles.

19.  Thiago Paulino (Brazil) Para athletics F57

He broke the world and Parapan American shot put record all in one day, collecting an epic gold medal for his country.

Lima 2019 volunteers received a token of gratitude and appreciation for their invaluable contribution and work during the Pan American and Parapan American Games. Such recognition took place during the closing ceremony at the National Sports Village (VIDENA), with the packed grandstands.

A photo collage with the faces of all the volunteers was prepared and displayed as background of the VIDENA stage, as part of this token of appreciation to the volunteers, who in white and yellow uniform spent their time and generous dedication. This collage was a fair tribute to their contribution to the success of the Lima 2019 Games.

On behalf of the thousands of national and international volunteers, the 62-year-old Para swimmer Liduvina Sánchez Perales and the 20-year-old Jorge Luis Farfán Vila were honored.

During the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games closing ceremony, both volunteers received one Milco statuette in gratitude for their valuable contribution to the Games which was accompanied by a heartfelt standing ovation from the attendees.

Liduvina Sánchez contracted poliomyelitis when she was one year old. She is a Para athlete that has been practicing Para swimming since she was 58 years old. She is an example of perseverance as there is nothing impossible when you have faith and you are confident. She won three bronze medals at the 2019 International Loterías Caixa Open Championships, held in Brazil.

Without a doubt, Liduvina decided to be part of the Lima 2019 volunteer Program as soon as she heard about the call. She was an enthusiastic volunteer during the Pan American and Parapan American Games and she performed different roles supporting the participating athletes.

Being a Lima 2019 volunteer has been an unforgettable experience for Liduvina, one that will remain forever in her mind as she spent time with athletes from different countries.

Another remarkable case is that of Jorge Luis Farfán Vila, a 20-year-old volunteer with an impairment, student of Communication Sciences and one of the Games’ official uniform model in the Peru Moda event last April.

Jorge Luis, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy and uses an electric wheelchair, decided to apply as soon as he saw the call in social media and was one of the chosen ones. Being a Lima 2019 volunteer was a great life experience for him so he is grateful for the opportunity to be part of that legacy for the country.

Another anecdote he will remember forever is the talk and photograph he shared with Eve Jobs, daughter of Apple founder Steve Jobs at the Army Equestrian School in La Molina. Jobs’ young daughter seemed very thankful at that time for the role performed by the volunteers in favor of the competitors.

Liduvina and Jorge Luis are just two examples of the many examples of life, perseverance, enthusiasm and joy that the volunteers shared during their self-less service to the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games.

VOLUNTEERS FIGURES AT THE END OF LIMA 2019

The Lima 2019 volunteer program was the biggest program of our history, in a way never seen before, with an unprecedented registration and mobilization. Training process of national and international volunteers started on October 27 last year in eight regions of the country: San Martín, Ica, Tacna, Arequipa, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Piura and Lima.

The Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games had volunteers of all ages, even seniors, and with a type of impairment. 

A total of 11,900 volunteers participated in the Pan American Games, including young people between the ages of 18 and 25, minors between 16 and 17 years old, senior citizens, volunteers with an impairment, as well as men and women from different parts of the world such as Argentina, Brazil and the United States that came to Peru to offer their self-less and ad honorem support.

As for the Parapan American Games, the figure was 5900 volunteers, distributed throughout the different areas and sports venues in important operational positions.

Furthermore, the volunteers with any type of impairment also provided a tremendous support, with a total of 183 volunteers, 95 women and 88 men.

With this huge legacy and massive participation of the volunteers, which has never seen before in Peru, we can conclude that the assigned mission was completed and these valuable people almost anonymously showed us that when we work together, we can accomplish great things, changing the way the society thinks.

The most transcendental Para event of the continent closed one of its most emblematic competitions: Para swimming. A set of intense finals were contested in this event, which amazed the public with the swimming skills of the best Para swimmers in the Americas.

The finals of this event had the participation of the delegations from Brazil and Colombia. The Brazilian players snatched eight gold medals. The performance of Gabriel dos Santos was outstanding. He claimed the gold in men’s 100 m freestyle S2 with a record of 2:04.60, surpassing the Chilean Alberto Abarza by four seconds.

His compatriot, Edenia Nogueira, set a Parapan American record of 57:02, winning the gold medal in women’s 50 m backstroke in the S3 category. Likewise, Esthefany de Oliveira set another record of 3:54.66, taking home the gold in 200 m individual medley in the S5 category.

Meanwhile, the Colombians picked up seven gold medals. The participation of Sara Vargas also stood out as she set a Parapan American record of 1:17.00, crowning herself the winner of the women’s 100 m freestyle in the S6 category.

Another exceptional performance was that of Nelson Crispin, who gave his country the gold medal in 100 m freestyle, 200 m individual medley in the SM6 category, 50 m freestyle in the S6 category, 100 m breaststroke in the SB6 category, and 50 m butterfly in the S6 category.

Moreover, the Mexican delegation collected four gold medals. One of the representatives who left his mark in the water was Diego López, who set the record of 45.06 in the 50 m backstroke final in the S3 category.

This way, one of the Paralympic sports that garnered the greatest expectation of the Peruvians at the National Sports Village ended on a high note, demonstrating that there is no impairment that between you and your goals because everything is possible with courage and determination.

Motivated by the support of Peruvian fans, the young national promise of Para sports, Rodrigo Santillán, took the sixth place in the hard-fought men’s 50m freestyle Para swimming final.  

The 14-year-old Para athlete clocked 1:15.61. Brazil won the gold medal with Gabriel Dos Santos, who clocked 57:88. Chilean Alberto Abarza and Brazilian Bruno Becker took the silver and bronze medals, respectively.  

However, Santillán seeks to prove himself tomorrow in the 100m freestyle final. He wants to seal his participation in the Parapan American Games with a medal, as well as beat his personal best of 1:13. 

On the other hand, although he has not obtained a place on the podium, the young Para athlete feels excited as the times he has clocked so far have ensured his participation in two important international competitions. Rodrigo Santillán delivers a great performance in Para swimming.  

“I didn’t think I'd make it to finals with the best of the Americas. Now my plans are for London 2019 World Para Swimming Championships, which will take place in a few weeks, and Tokyo 2020,” he said enthusiastically.  

On the other hand, his coach Fernando Cuadros says that the young Para swimmer has a promising future ahead. “Lima 2019 is a great experience for him and will significantly contribute to his performance in future world championships,” he stressed.    

This way, the young Peruvian representative will seek to close his participation in the most important sporting event of the Americas with his best performance and lay the foundations to participate in two major international events, looking to immortalize his name and bring glory to his country.

The Peruvian Para swimming delegation writes a new chapter in the Peruvian history of this competition alongside the exceptional and awarded Dunia Felices. She took a place among the top eight of the Americas in women’s 200 m freestyle final.

Dunia was confident to be on the top of the Parapan American Games and to get a spot in the podium for Peru because it was her fourth consecutive final and, the day before, she won a bronze medal in 50 m butterfly.

In this regard, the stands of the Aquatic Center of the National Sports Village were filled with Peruvian vibes to cheer the performance of the Peruvian Para athlete, who got her classification in the morning to this daunting final. She was in third place of her group with a time of 3:52.41, just a few seconds behind the Brazilian Esthefany de Olivera and Joana Jaciara.

The Peruvian Para swimmer gave her best in the final, and placed fifth with 3:52.11. Brazilian Joana Jaciara da Silva won the gold medal with 3:14.71. The silver medal was for the American Alyssa Gialamas and the bronze medal was awarded to the Brazilian Esthefany de Oliveira.

She said that even if she did not get a medal in this competition it is a preparation to other international events. “Competing again the 200 meters freestyle gave me more experience for the London 2019 World Para Swimming Championships, which is in 10 days,” the Lima 2019 Ambassador stressed with a lot of hope.

She added that the unconditional support of the fans is a inspiration to her career in this Para sport. “While I was swimming, I listened to the cheers that made me keep going. After I left the pool, it was thrilling see my school friends, my family and all the Peruvian fans. Thanks to all your support I accomplished everything,” she expressed with excitement.

Therefore, the praiseworthy participation of the Peruvian Para athletes at Lima 2019 is evidence of a Paralympic heritage. This will be a source of inspiration for the future generations of Peruvians, knowing that everything is possible when there is courage and determination.