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The old city of Teotihuacan, that according to Mezo-American cosmogony is where men became gods, witnessed the Pan American Games New Flame Lighting Ceremony, as it is tradition since its eleventh edition in La Habana 1991.
In order to keep the continuity and balance in the universe, the ancient inhabitants of Teotihuacan used to perform regularly rituals to reassure their commitment with their gods. That is how the Pan American Torch Lighting Ceremony is a modern day adaptation of the rituals but but now the ceremony is focused in reaffirming -every four years- the unity and fraternity of the people from the Americas.
The great ceremony started at the overwhelming stage with the presentation of the flags of the 41 countries participating of Lima 2019, paying special honors to the flags of Peru, Mexico and Panam Sports, and singing their anthems.
The President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus; the President of Panam Sports, Neven Ilic: the Governor of the State of Mexico, Alfredo Mazo Maza; the President of the Mexican Olympic Committee, Carlos Padilla; Honorary Member of the International Olympic Committee, Olegario Vasquez; the Ambassador of Peru, Julio Garro Gálvez; and the General Director of CONADE, Ana Gabriela Guevara, were all in the main stage, located facing the Basamento Escalonado that served and stage and center of the great show.
Two important Peruvian Athletes that will be on Lima 2019 were also present, the Para Badminton athlete, Pilar Jauregui, and Karate athlete, Alexandra Grande.
In his opening speech, Neuhaus highlighted the importance of the ceremony and the unifying value of sports.
“It is an honor for me to be here, for many reasons. We are uniting the ancient cultures of the Americas which are two out of the four in the world. This is an opportunity to, first, unite the people from Mexico and Peru, and then do the same with the people in my country (Peru) and later with all the cultures of the Americas in a competition starting on July 26. Sports transcend: they make no difference between colors, beliefs, origins, etc. It is made for all and has the ability to bring us together”, he assured.
Furthermore, Ilic applauded the work of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, and pointed out that all the work done has the athletes as main goal.
“This day is very special to me and our organization... The city of Teotihuacan has a great symbolism, an amazing pre-Hispanic history that will connect to another great history in the American continent, in the city of Machu Picchu. Everything that has been done for Lima 2019 is the result of tremendous effort and the hard work of all Peru. We think we have covered all necessary details for out athletes, attendees and coaches to feel at home. It is a reward to the life of the Athlete, who, I think, is a special person”.
The President of the Mexican Olympic Committee, on his part, acknowledged Peru and the American continent, recalling the many challenges and common dreams.
“Faithful to out tradition, we attend this New Fire Ceremony in Teotihuacan, in this city where according to our cosmogony, the gods created the universe. From here, we salute the great cultures of Peru. This fire will light up our continent starting today. We are an important cluster of independent countries with diverse challenges in democracy, wellness and production, and we form a sports community with an identity, capacities and great achievements on the road to Tokyo 2020”.
Finally, the Governor of Mexico highlighted the alliances between countries and the team work allowing success in both sports and in the organization of Games as big as the ones from Lima 2019.
“Sports practice is one of the biggest challenges we face. In any field, victory is the consequence of careful, hard and constant preparation, but it will never be the product of isolated efforts of a single person, no matter how talented. It depends, like no other labor, on team work. We acknowledge the effort, good will and hospitality of the Peruvian people, who will be worthy hosts of this sport competition”.
