OMARA DURAND LEAVES HER HANDPRINTS AT VIDENA ATHLETICS STADIUM

An emotional ceremony was held at VIDENA this afternoon, when Lima 2019 had the big honor to acknowledge the transcendence of one of the biggest athletics champions and a symbol of the Paralympic movement: Cuban Omara Durand.  

The world’s fastest Para-athlete, who we will be privileged to watch at the Parapan American Games, left her handprints on a cement board. They will be shown later in the VIDENA Hall of Fame, next to those of Jamaican Usain Bolt's, the world’s fastest man in athletics history. She also unveiled a plaque to be placed in the stadium to show her significance for Para sport worldwide. 

The event had Carlos Neuhaus (President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee), Andrew Parsons (President of the International Paralympic Committee – IPC) and newly appointed Julio César Ávila (President of Americas Paralympic Committee – APC) in attendance. 

This homage brought tears to Omara Durand, who was thrilled with the tribute to her career. “I’m very excited. My coach says it's very hard to make me cry, but this all surprised me. I didn’t expect it. This is one of the happiest moments of my career. I hope I can win many medals, I’m well prepared. I’m very thankful for leaving my handprints at the stadium. Thank you for this wonderful moment,” she said, before placing her hands on the cement board to create an everlasting memory of her stay in Peru. Durand thanked her guide Yuniol Kindelán and her coach Miriam Ferrer for all her triumphs. 

Carlos Neuhaus recognized her presence in Peru. “We are very pleased to have you here in Peru. We hope you can beat many records, because you are going to compete in world-class tracks like the ones we now have. You will leave your mark in our stadium, just like Usain Bolt. We are happy to host the best Para athletes in the Americas, like Omara,” said COPAL president. 

The IPC President highlighted the tribute to the Cuban Para athlete. “It’s such a joy to be next to Omara, the world’s fastest woman. She is an example of a Paralympic woman. It's exciting to see her leave her mark, because she is a monument of the Paralympic movement. She is an example for young people. I’m sure she will win the three gold medals in the events she will compete in. We expect her presence to change Peruvian people's perception of persons with an impairment. She'll show us that, like any other person with an impairment, she can do anything. We just have to give them the chance,” said Parsons. 

APC President, Julio César Ávila, added he felt “proud to be in this homage. This is the beginning of recognition for sports in the Americas. I invite you to enjoy these Games, which will be the best in history. Enjoy it because you will be proud of it.” 

Meanwhile, Lucha Villar, President of the National Paralympic Association of Peru, praised the work of COPAL. “I want to praise the work of the Organizing Committee for achieving equality between both Games. First, there was recognition for Usain Bolt and now for Omara Durand. This is a perfect example of “Let’s all play”, and the celebration goes on. Para athletes will be our inspiration,” she said. 

WORLD RECORD UNDER 12 SECONDS 

Durand was the first woman to beat the 12 seconds in the 100 m, Para Athletics' main event, and holds the world record (11.40 seconds). The heroine of the Caribbean will also compete in the 200 m and 400 m events, T12 class (athletes with vision impairment) at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. These events will be held on Saturday, August 24 at VIDENA Athletics Stadium. 

Omara is in Lima to clinch a historic third gold triple in the Games, in her three athletics specialties. These medals would add to the ones she won at the Rio 2007 and Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games. The Olympic and world multi-gold medalist has become one of the stars to be watched by Peruvian sports fans. 

Finally, the Cuban athlete walked around the stadium's main track, where she will try to set new records in the coming days.  

BUY YOUR TICKETS 

Tickets for the competitions and ceremonies are available. Prices start at PEN 10. 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. 

You can also buy them online at lima2019.pe/tickets, where you can find the detailed competition schedule. 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. 

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