LIMA 2019: PAN AMERICAN TORCH ALREADY VISITED SIX PERUVIAN CITIES

The Lima 2019 Communications, Commercial and Marketing Manager Juan Antonio Silva announced that the Lima 2019 celebration had already begun in Peru after the Pan American Torch lighting in Teotihuacan, Mexico and its arrival in Cusco last week. Silva also invited everyone to continue this celebration by getting their tickets at www.lima2019.pe.

“The Torch Relay is an activity aimed at involving the entire country. The Pan American torch has already visited six cities since its arrival in Peru: Cusco, Juliaca, Puno, Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna. The Torch will arrive in Nazca and Ica tomorrow, and Hugo Sotil, a distinguished sportsman from Ica, will light a cauldron at Jose Picasso Peratta stadium,” he told the media.

Silva added that the torchbearers are athletes, celebrities, and all those Peruvians who embody the sports values that the Games seek to promote. 

“For example, Mr. César Chávez Mejía will also participate. He's well-known in Ica for his volunteer work at the Regional Hospital and his collaboration in Pisco’s reconstruction after the 2007 earthquake. That’s why his community chose him as a ‘Peruvian whose story shines.’”

In this regard, Patricia del Río, a torchbearer in Cusco, spoke about her experience and stated it was an honor. She also talked about the feeling these Games are generating nationwide. 

“This very particular enthusiasm shows that, although the Games are held in Lima, the whole of Peru is taking part. That’s a most beautiful idea. I was thinking of the Copa America, of Lima 2019... Right now, there are many Latin American countries having a hard time. They can’t even imagine that their situation will improve in twenty years. We’ve gone through a lot as a country: from natural and presidential disasters, terrorism... Now we’re a country that can organize sports events like Lima 2019 or go to one like the Copa America and end up as one of the best. We’ve changed as a country. And I think that’s beautiful and something we should all be proud of,” she assured.

Silva, in turn, stressed how the Games’ can change people's perception of an often neglected group in society, namely people with an impairment (despite being 10% of the total population).

“The Lima 2019 Games are a great opportunity to positively change society by following the values of the Games, like equality. One of the things we seek with the Parapan American Games is to raise awareness and develop a sense of equality among citizens.”

ABOUT LIMA 2019

The opening ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games will be held at the National Stadium in July 26, 2019. This continental event will gather 6680 athletes from 41 countries and delegations from the Americas.

There will be 17 days of competitions and ceremonies between July 26 and August 11, which will take place in 14 districts of Lima and Callao at various venues like VIDENA, Villa María Sports Center, Callao Regional Village, Villa El Salvador Sports Center, Punta Rocas, among others.

The Lima 2019 Pan American Games will include 39 sports and 61 disciplines, in which athletes will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals. A total of 22 disciplines are qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The Parapan American Games will gather 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, participating in 17 sports and 18 disciplines. Competitions will take place from August 23 to September 1, 2019. Thirteen sports will be qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.