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Palmas Reales school in Los Olivos was filled with posters related to the Pan American and Parapan American Games. Amid a celebratory atmosphere, the students welcomed the athletes, who visited the school for the first time to perform an exhibition. The children were eager to join the excitement the whole country lives for Lima 2019.
Members of the Peruvian judo and boccia teams arrived in Los Olivos to promote their sports as part of the “TOP Perú en las Escuelas 2019” (TOP Peru at Schools 2019) program, organized by the Ministry of Education through the Peruvian Institute of Sports (IPD).
Kiara Arango and Ariana Cornejo, who will represent Peru at the Games, performed a judo exhibition alongside the high school students.
“I had never experienced that feeling of being in a school. I quite liked it because you can promote sports this way and encourage children to play them so there'll be a new generation of athletes,” stated Ariana Cornejo.
Kiara Arango also shared this feeling: “I never expected to feel all this love from the kids. It motivates me to keep going and get a medal in the Games,” she pointed out.
Judo competitions at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games will take place at Sports Center 1 in the National Sports Village (VIDENA) from August 8 to 11.
Leonidas Vargas, the school principal, was among those most excited by the athletes' visit. “Each classroom had a task related to the Games. They designed their mottoes themselves and did all the research, which is important because learning about sports and doing physical activity will allow them to have an integral development,” he stated.
Susana Córdoba, Physical Education and Sports Director in the Ministry of Education, commented on the sports celebration to take over Lima in the next few days. “Don’t forget to tell your parents that the Pan American Games will begin on July 26 at the National Stadium with the Opening Ceremony. This huge celebration will continue with the Parapan American Games until September 1,” she said.
Additionally, Sebastián Suito, IPD President, highlighted the importance of sports as a life-changing experience and stated that “with dedication, effort and lots of sweat, everything is possible.”
