EMOTIONAL WELCOME FOR PERUVIAN DELEGATION AT PARAPAN AMERICAN VILLAGE

A warm and emotional welcome was given to the Peruvian delegation participating in the Parapan American Games that start this Friday, August 23. The ceremony took place at the Parapan American Village with over one hundred Para athletes, who are part of the largest Peruvian delegation in the history of these international competitions.

Likewise, the minister of Education, Flor Pablo; president of the Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus; ambassador of Cuba in Peru, Sergio González; head of the IPD, Sebastián Suito; president of the Paralympic Association of Peru, Lucha Villar; representative of the Embassy of Chile in Peru, Pier Franco Barberis; and mayor of the Parapan American Village, Giorgio Mautino, were present at the Village’s International Plaza, located in the heart of Villa El Salvador.

The Peruvian Para athletes, in proper uniform, marched excited to live the experience of the Parapan American Games, which is new for many of them. The Peruvian flag was the first to be raised at the Village and the National anthem was sung with patriotism.

The minister of Education greeted the Peruvian delegation on behalf of President Martín Vizcarra. “President Martín Vizcarra is committed to the Games and is a fan of yours. When I saw you entering the Plaza, I noticed the unity and diversity of the Peruvians who are part of this delegation. The Parapan American Games leave us with the message that everything is possible if you seek self-improvement.”

“Physical limitations are only in our minds. Your participation will set an example for future Para athletes. We must keep improving in inclusion and accessibility. We can improve together. Out continent needs to be united. The Government will ensure inclusion for all. You are winners and we want to wish you the best. We are going to keep supporting you, so ‘let’s all play.’ We wish you the best of luck,” stated the minister of Education to the Para athletes.

Then the minister visited the buildings where the Para athletes are staying, as well as the dining hall that will receive over 2000 athletes and technical officials. There, she left a written message on the wall of wishes.

EVERTHING IS FOR THE PARA ATHLETES

President of Lima 2019, Carlos Neuhaus, expressed excitement for the experience athletes and Para athletes are living. “It’s a great honor to welcome you to the Village. Seeing you march has moved me. This is a dream come true for me. Everything we’ve done in the Village is for you. The Village will enable you to build friendship and happy memories of the moments you will experience here. We want to introduce our culture to all the visiting delegations. We welcome you with open arms. We want you to feel at home and we are committed to giving you all our affection,” expressed the president of COPAL.

After welcoming the Peruvian delegation, led by their chef de mission, Jose Gonzales Mugaburu, they welcomed the Chilean and Cuban Para athletes. The anthems of both countries were sung and their flags raised. The Cuban delegation arrived with Cuban sports legend, Alberto Juantorena, who won gold medals for the 400 m and 800 m events at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games. The welcome ceremonies will continue in the upcoming days before the Games Opening Ceremony, scheduled for Friday 23.

It’s important to mention that 33 countries will be present at the Parapan American Games: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Granada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, US Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua,

Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela.

PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES

A total of 1890 Para athletes (1247 men and 643 women) from 33 countries will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines at the Parapan American Games. The Peruvian delegation will have 139 Para athletes that will compete in 16 of the 17 sports.

Competitions will take place in 14 venues from August 22 to September 1, 2019. This is the first time that Peru will organize the most important multi-sports competition of the Americas and the most significant sports event in the world after the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Parapan American Games will grant quotas for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in 13 Para sports. The Parapan American Games are supported by the Americas Paralympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee.

About IPC and APC

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the international governing body of the Paralympic movement. Its objective is to organize the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and to act as the International Federation of nine sports, in order to supervise and coordinate the World Championships and other competitions.

The Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) was established in August 1997, with the aim of creating a Para sport governing body for the Americas. Since 2007, the Parapan American Games are held by the city that hosts the Pan American Games.

About the National Paralympic Association of Peru

The National Paralympic Association of Peru (ANPP) is the governing body of the Paralympic sports movement in Peru. Since 2016, it promotes individual and group Para sports participation. The association also works to transform society by promoting Para sports, as part of the legacy that the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games will leave.