ATHLETICS STADIUM STARTS WITH SUCCESS IN THE ATHLETICS STADIUM AT VIDENA

Under a steady drizzle, the athletics stadium of the VIDENA proved to be worthy of major continental events after an intense first day of the South American athletics championship. Athletes from 14 countries showed they were satisfied with the facilities in the test event on the road to Lima 2019 Games.

Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela dominated today’s competition. The Peruvian team reached the final stages in the hurdles test, in women’s and men’s categories, as well as in women’s triple jump. The winners of the first day of the competition gave their opinion about the new athletics stadium.

“The organizing committee took care of all the details. Hydration is very well managed, and the basics for athletes to compete in good conditions are also on point.  I would like to have 10 stadiums such as this one, because the track and the warm-up field are amazing. I have no doubts that Lima 2019 will organize an excellent Pan American Games,” said Genesis Romero from Venezuela who won gold in 110 m hurdles.

Andressa Oliveira from Brazil won the discus throw test and said “it is a wonderful stadium with great facilities designed to ensure athletes’ comfort. It is certainly one of the best in the Americas. I hope to come back in July and see the grandstands full of fans at the Pan American Games.”

Likewise, Mauricio Garrido from Colombia who won the gold medal in the discus throw test said that the track is one of the best in the continent. “I have competed in several stadiums from Europe and North America and this scenario has the same level. It was a pleasure to be here and, in a few weeks, I will come back to win the gold in Lima 2019,” he said.

OLYMPIC-LEVEL TRACK

A red level-1 nine-lane track was installed for the Pan American and Parapan American Games competitions. The quality standards are similar to those used at the London 2012 Olympic Games and the ones to be used in Tokyo 2020. Natural grass has been installed in the center to carry out the javelin, discus and hammer throw events.

The Athletics Track passed the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) certification tests, after passing laboratory and delimiting tests. The venue will be ready to host first-class competitions because of 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 opens 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 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.