PERUVIANS WHOSE STORIES SHINE HONORED WITH CARRYING THE TORCH

Moquegua. Eliana Cutipa has never done sports professionally, but her presence in the Pan American Torch celebration in Moquegua was more than justified. On Teacher's Day, she ran 200 meters with the burning Flame across the suspension bridge of Moquegua, while receiving applause from the thousands of people she taught since they were at primary school.

In 2015, Eliana was chosen by the Ministry of Education as the best teacher in the city. This recognition led the president of Peru, Martin Vizcarra Cornejo, to surprise her in her little school called San Antonio and congratulate her for her outstanding work with children. She undoubtedly deserved to be considered a ‘Peruvian whose story shines’ because of her teaching career.

Near Eliana, another distinguished citizen from Moquegua received the Pan American Flame. He is Félix Inado, the man who set a record for the 2000 meters steeplechase. In 1985, he clocked 5 minutes 47 seconds and 56 hundredths, a record which has stood unbeaten in Peru until now. Félix carried the Flame next to the Cristo Blanco of Moquegua, in one of the most acclaimed moments of the Torch journey through the city.

Besides Eliana, Félix and the rest of the 72 Pan American torchbearers, the relay also featured some promising young athletes from president Vizcarra's country. Camila Vizcarra, unrelated to the president, brought pride to her city with all her victories in table tennis. She began the tour from 25 de Noviembre stadium to the Municipal Coliseum of Moquegua. It turned out to be a great celebration.