(ATR) Leaders in Peru are confident the Pan American Games scheduled for its capital in 2019 will not be deterred by the floods devastating the country.
Peruvian Olympic Committee president Jose Quinones tells Around the Rings that Peru’s President Pablo Kuczynski, Prime Minister Fernando Zavala, Economics Minister Alfredo Thorne and Lima 2019 chief Carlos Neuhaus have all assured that the Pan Ams will go on as scheduled.
The assurances come in response to calls from critics to cancel the multi-sport event and divert funds set aside for the Pan Ams directly to relief efforts. Lima Mayor Luis Castañeda has been one of the strongest voices to oppose continuing the Pan Am Games project and favor the transfer of funds, according to Peru Reports.
The floods have claimed the lives of more than 70 people and have destroyed more than 60,000 homes, fueled by the worst rains the country has received in 20 years.
Despite the tragedies caused by the natural disaster, a survey released by El Comercio Peru on March 20 shows that 58 percent of those surveyed are in favor of moving forward with hosting the Pan Ams while 40 percent think it should go to another country. Of those opposed, 61 percent cited the same reasons as Lima Mayor Castañeda.
While some argue the government needs more money to help curtail the catastrophe, ATR is told the Peruvian government has $30 billion in reserves for disaster relief efforts while the Pan Am Games budget is set at $1.5 billion. Although $30 billion is available, Quinones says the government does not expect to need to use the full amount in its relief efforts.
Recovery efforts may be delayed in parts of the country until later this week as the heavy rains are expected to continue for at least five more days. The flooding has left thousands of people in Lima without clean water due to the pollution of reservoirs such as the Rimac River.
The Lima 2019 Pan Ams are scheduled to take place from July 26 to Aug. 10.
Written by Kevin Nutley
Forgeneral comments or questions, click here.
25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about theOlympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribersonly.
Últimas Noticias
Sinner-Alcaraz, the duel that came to succeed the three phenomenons
Table tennis: Brazil’s Bruna Costa Alexandre will be Olympic and Paralympic in Paris 2024
Rugby 7s: the best player of 2023 would only play the medal match in Paris
Rhonex Kipruto, owner of the world record for the 10000 meters on the road, was suspended for six years
Katie Ledecky spoke about doping Chinese swimmers: “It’s difficult to go to Paris knowing that we’re going to compete with some of these athletes”
