Exclusive: Options Available to Lighten Lima 2019 Load

(ATR) Jose Puello tells Around the Rings that changes to the next Pan American Games in Peru could be made at the Pan American Sports Organization General Assembly in April.

"There are options to consider from decreasing the number of athletes to eliminating some sports," the PASO presidential candidatetells ATR in an exclusive interview about the status of the Lima 2019 Pan Ams. "But NOBODY desires this."

Preparations for PASO’s flagship event have suffered multiple setbacks since the Peruvian capital was awarded the event in 2013. Leadership changes in the organizing committee and national government pale in comparison to the challenge that organizers and the country now face following the worst flooding Peru has received in a decade.

The natural disaster brought mudslides through the streets, claiming the lives of more than 90 people and destroying the homes of hundreds of thousands more. While the tragedy has led to calls from some in the country to utilize the Pan Am Games budget to aid relief efforts, Peruvian leadership has assured Lima 2019 will be staged as planned.

Although Puello says nobody wants to cut any parts of the sports program, the situation is leaving organizers with little room to work with, and according to Puello and Peruvian leadership, finding a new host city is off the table.

"PASO wants the Games to be held in Lima and we have not changed our opinion," the PASO presidential candidate says. "The flooding in Peru has been a tragedy with the cost in lives and property. The Peruvian Government and regional Mayors along with the President of the country have faced this catastrophe with responsibility."

Puello notes that the Pan Ams have a precedent of overcoming devastating natural disasters.

"Remember that Hurricane George affected Santo Domingo in the middle of preparations for the 2003 Pan Am Games and yet we were able to mount them successfully."

As president of the Dominican Republic Olympic Committee at the time, Puello also served as chairman of the Santo Domingo 2003 Organizing Committee. Puello overcame public chastisements from late PASO president Mario Vazquez Rana over delays in preparations for the 2003 event and staged the games with few notable blemishes.

Before any decisions are made for 2019, Puello says thorough discussions regarding changes to the Lima 2019 program will be held at the PASO General Assembly at the end of April in Punta del Este, Uruguay. PASO members will hear a report of the recent commission visit to Lima before discussing options to alleviate the workload on the Peruvian organizers.

"April will be a month of great decisions and of course PASO will listen with much interest to the views of the Peruvian Olympic Committee and Lima 2019 Organizing Committee," Puello says. "A reduction in non-sports infrastructure works? That’s possible. But I think we should listen to the Peruvians before making any rash decisions.

"Above all we need to think of the athletes who are already preparing for this event."

If elected as PASO’s next president, Puello tells ATR his first order of business would be to visit Lima and meet with all stakeholders involved in preparations for the games.

Puello is competing against Brazilian Olympic Committee president Carlos Nuzman, Chilean Olympic Committee president Neven Ilic and St. Vincent and the Grenadines NOC secretary general Keith Joseph to lead PASO for the next four years.

The election will take place at the General Assembly scheduled for April 23-26.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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