Author: Lima 2019 press release Lima, 6 September 2019

PERUVIAN CONGRESS AWARDS DIPLOMAS TO PARAPAN AMERICAN MEDALISTS

The Social Inclusion and People with Impairments Committee recognized 15 Para athletes for their brilliant participation in the international competition.

Los 15 Para deportistas fueron reconocidos por la Comisión de Inclusión Social y Personas con discapacidad, por su brillante participación en el certamen internacional.

Our Para athletes, who made us proud with their brilliant participation in the Lima 2019 Games, continue receiving recognitions. This time, the Peruvian Congress awarded diplomas to 15 medalist Para athletes that made the country proud.  

The Social Inclusion and People with Impairments Committee chaired by the Congresswoman Marisol Espinoza organized this tribute ceremony for Para athletes at the Raúl Porras Barnechea room. The President of Lima 2019 Organizing Committee Carlos Neuhaus and the Head of the National Paralympic Association of Peru Lucha Villar attended the ceremony. 

The President of the Congress Pedro Olaechea attended this ceremony and congratulated the Para athletes for the medals won at the Lima 2019 Games. The congresswoman Ana Choquehuanca and Alberto Quintanilla also attended this ceremony.  Carlos Neuhaus, Lucha Villar, athletes’ guides and coaches were also awarded. 

Carlos Neuhaus highlighted the effort of Para athletes and the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee. “You were my favorites [Para athletes]. We wanted to surpass the Pan American Games and that’s why we wanted to make these the best Games ever and we did it. I was deeply touched watching you compete, we worked so hard for it. Of course, I’m going to miss you athletes.”  

“It was almost three intense years, working really hard to a State commitment. We couldn’t fail Peru. Thank you all, we beat all records. These Games will mark a “before and after” for sport. It’s a nice legacy we’re leaving for the city. You showed that you are capable of many things. It’s a great joy to see you being recognized.  I was happy to work and celebrate your success.  Everything was very exciting, that’s why I tried to be there for your victories,” said Carlos Neuhaus.

Los 15 Para deportistas fueron reconocidos por la Comisión de Inclusión Social y Personas con discapacidad, por su brillante participación en el certamen internacional.

Meanwhile, Lucha Villar highlighted the recognition of the Congress and the Inclusion Committee. She also thanked the tribute to coaches and guides who supported Para athletes in achieving their goals. “The Games will allow us to apply the sports values in our society, with Lima 2019 as a starting point,” said the head of ANPP.  

The diplomas signed by the President of the Congress and the Head of the Social Inclusion and People with Impairments Committee, were granted to: Pilar Jáuregui (Para badminton, WH2), Angélica Espinoza (Para taekwondo, K44 - 49 kg), Pedro Pablo de Vinatea (Para badminton, SL3), Rosbil Guillén (Para athletics, 1500 m T11) and Israel Hilario (Para road cycling, men’s time trial C1-2). 

Likewise, these diplomas were granted to the Para athletes who won silver medals: Luis Sandoval (Para athletics, 5000 m T11), Carlos Felipa (Para athletics, shot put F63) and Jorge Arcela (shooting Para sport, Mix. 10m air rifle prone SH1). The Para athletes, winners of the bronze medals, received the same award: Noemí Vásquez (Para powerlifting, -50 kg), Efraín Sotacuro (Para athletics, 1500 m T46), Héctor Salvá (Para badminton, SS63), Rodrigo Santillán (Para swimming, men’s 100 m backstroke S2 (S1)), William Fernández (Para taekwondo, K44 -61kg), Fred Villalobos (judo -81 kg) and Dunia Felices (Para swimming, 50 m butterfly S5 (S1-S4)). 

Ferdinand Cereceda and Carlos Gálvez, Rosbil Guillén guide-runners; Juvenal Huiza and Jhon Cusi, Luis Sandoval guide-runners were also awarded, as well as, the coaches: Michael Echevarría, Sunil Serna, Neolanis Suárez, Pedro Manrique, Rodrigo Aranguena, Fernando Cuadros, Derly Delgado and Ivonne de la Cruz, Iván Reyes. 

ABOUT LIMA 2019 GAMES 

This is the first time that Peru will organize the most important multi-sports event of the Americas and the most significant sporting event in the world after the Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Over 6600 athletes of all the continent participated in 39 sports and 61 disciplines, during 17 days between July 26 and August 11, at the Pan American Games.  A total of 21 competitions were qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 

At the Parapan American Games, about 1800 Para athletes of 30 countries participated in 17 sports and 18 disciplines.  The Peruvian delegation participated with 139 Para athletes, in 16 of 17 sports. Competitions took place in 14 venues from August 23 to September 1. The Parapan American Games granted quota places in 13 Para sports for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.