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The Peruvian athletics team spent an incredible Sunday after winning four medals and living a real sports celebration at the South American Athletics Championships held at Athletics Stadium of the VIDENA. Luis Henry Campos (20,000-meter race walk), Luz Mery Rojas (5000 meters) and Marco Vilca (800 meters) won three bronze medals, while José Luis Rojas from Huancayo claimed the 5000 m silver medal. It was a really exciting race.
Peru closed this continental event with five medals, including the silver earned by Leyde Guerra in the 20,000-meter race walk on the first day. This way, our country achieved great results, especially in long-distance races, ahead of the Pan American Games that are scheduled to open on July 26 at the National Stadium.
Marco Vilca suffered a nervous breakdown a few minutes before the competition, but he managed to cross the finish line and rank among the top three. “I was afraid of disappointing all the Peruvians who rooted for me, but I drew on my inner strength in the last meters. I’m so happy right now,” said the athlete from Arequipa.
Brazil claimed the title of this event in both women’s and men’s with a total of 377 points, followed by Colombia with 288 points. Venezuela also took home some medals, mostly in women’s, with a total of 153 points. Peru ranked fifth with 82 points.
ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS
Peru stood out as host not only for the athletics track and the warm-up field at the VIDENA but also for the organizational level of Lima 2019. Representatives of the athletics federations that came to our capital were satisfied by the services provided by the Organizing Committee.
The new President of the South American Athletics Confederation, Helio Gesta de Melo, pointed out that our country is ready to organize world-class competitions. “This stadium is certified as A1 and could house the U-20 World Championship in 2022. We’ll nominate Lima for it.”
OLYMPIC-LEVEL TRACK
A red level-1 track with nine lanes was installed for the Pan American and Parapan American Games. The quality standards are similar to those used for the London 2012 Olympic Games and those that will be used at Tokyo 2020. A natural grass has been laid in the center for the javelin, discus and hammer throw tests.
The athletics track passed the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) certification tests, after the corresponding laboratory and delimiting tests. In other words, the venue is ready to host first-level competitions thanks to its world-class infrastructure.
ABOUT LIMA 2019
The Lima 2019 Pan American Games is a continental event that will gather 6680 athletes from 41 countries and will open on July 26 at the National Stadium. There will be 17 days of competitions, which will take place in 14 districts of Lima and Callao. Some of the main venues will be the VIDENA, Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center, Callao Regional Sports 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.
