Ten thousand preschool, primary and secondary school students from 21 schools have learned about the importance of the Olympic and Paralympic values, which will be practiced at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games and Parapan American Games.
This has been achieved through the "Soy Lima 2019" campaign that began on April 29. The aim of this campaign is to visit schools located in districts that will host competitions and perform activities of the socio-cultural program. This will help students understand the importance of an attitude change, and promote sports through the practice of values.
The districts that have benefited to date are: San Luis, La Victoria, Villa María del Triunfo and Chorrillos. "It's been an excellent opportunity to promote the Pan American and Parapan American Games among our students, and it has allowed us to reinforce the values that the students already have. Sports are for everyone, even for those with impairments," said Marisol Calsina, principal of the Apóstol San Pedro school in San Luis.
It is worth noting that the "Soy Lima 2019” campaign is carried out in strategic alliance with the Bureau of Physical Education and Sport. The activity starts with the 10 minutes of physical activity promoted by the Ministry of Education.
Susana Córdova, General Director of Physical Education and Sport of the Ministry of Education, welcomed this initiative, reflected in the "Soy Lima" campaign, which seeks to promote Olympic values among schoolchildren.
"It was a great initiative. Through the "Soy Lima" campaign, the students have been able to learn more about the Games and get closer to sports and our champions. This has helped them to realize that sport is also a profession, and to reinforce many aspects of their lives," Córdova explained.
It is good to point out that 25 baseball, rugby, hockey, Basque pelota, water polo, handball, and badminton athletes have participated in this campaign. Pilar Jáuregui, Lima 2019 Ambassador, is part of this last delegation.
"We dream of competing in the Pan American Games; it's fulfilling for us athletes to take part in this kind of events. The way children look at us makes us feel proud and happy because we have to set an example for them," said Carla Rodriguez, one of the Basque Pelota team members.
What is the objective of this socio-cultural program?
To share a life experience with school students so they can understand the athletes' effort and dedication. Students can see an athlete and a Para athlete in action. They, respectively, will seek to promote the Pan American Games values: respect, friendship and excellence; and the Parapan American Games values: the search for equality, determination, inspiration and courage.
Through sport, Olympic and Paralympic values and their families' support, students and people in general can achieve their goals and make their dreams come true. But, most of all, they can become better people in every aspect.
The campaign will continue until July 9, and 8000 schoolchildren from 10 schools located in Villa El Salvador are expected to participate until then.
The Pan American Games will gather over 6680 athletes from 41 countries in 39 disciplines, while the Parapan American Games will receive 1980 athletes from 33 countries. They will compete to carve their names on the podium of the Lima 2019 Games, to be held from July 26 to August 11.