OUTSTANDING PERUVIANS CARRY PAN AMERICAN TORCH IN JULIACA

The Lima 2019 Pan American Games Torch arrived in Juliaca. The flame, which was lit both at Teotihuacán in Mexico and in Machu Picchu, was handed over to an outstanding Peruvian: Julio Surco was the penultimate torchbearer, and carried it in his wheelchair for nearly 200 meters.

Julio comes from Juliaca and was called for the Peruvian wheelchair basketball team which will participate in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. “There is no such thing as physical impediment. We shouldn’t waste so much time looking at our mobile phones. Let’s do sports and try to represent our country. It’s the most beautiful thing that could ever happen to us,” stated Julio Surco after carrying the Torch.

Also at the San Isidro Municipal Stadium in Juliaca was Mr. Zacarías Gonzales. With 23 medals displayed on his chest, 70-year-old Zacarías can be said to be one of Juliaca’s greatest ever sports figures.

Due to lack of time and support, he had to make a living as a tailor. Yet, no one could take away his biggest achievement: to record a time of 13 seconds in the 100 meters. This time would not be so impressive if he had not achieved it at the age of 40. He dusted the exact same sneakers which he wore for that competition and wore them at the event. There, he showed that he is still in excellent shape.

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.