With exactly 50 days remaining until the start of the Pan American Games, the Organizing Committee delivers the completed Aquatics Center in the VIDENA and the Multisport Center in Villa El Salvador.
Swimming, Diving, Artistic Swimming, Gymnastics and Karate will be some of the sports that will be staged in these new world-class venues that represent a great legacy for Peru.
Two of the most important, largest and symbolic venues of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games were completed this week with Panam Sports President Neven Ilic witnessing the inaugurations.
On Tuesday, the Aquatics Center was officially delivered to the Peruvian Swimming Federation with he Transportation Minister of Peru, the Executive Director of Lima 2019 and authorities of Panam Sports all in attendance. After 57 years, Lima has a world-class Olympic swimming pool once more that has been praised not only locally, but also by authorities and athletes from abroad.
The Aquatics Center has a warm-up pool that is 50 meters long, 25 meters wide and 2 meters deep. The competition Swimming pool meets the Olympic standards of 50 meters long, 25 meters wide and 3 meters deep and, finally, the Diving pool is 21 meters long, 25 meters wide and 5.5 meters deep.
Two days later, it was time to deliver the Multisport Center in Villa el Salvador, where Gymnastics and Karate will take place during the Pan American Games. The modern venue is stationed just 300 meters from the Pan American Village on a 49,000 m2 property. The competition coliseum will have the capacity for more than 5,000 people and will have retractable stands.
"It is difficult to express what I feel. This cost a lot. A year and a half ago it looked difficult, but we accomplished the task. This Aquatics Center is a marvel. We are sure that the Games will be held at the highest level. Thanks to Peru for their work and professionalism. It is wonderful to see all this, incredible. I have been to many Games, but what they have done here is unparalleled. Everything is amazing in the VIDENA and the Pan American Village is spectacular. Here they have worked together with the government and, because of that, things went well. As Panam Sports we feel that the table has been set. They have done a fantastic job," said Panam Sports President, Neven Ilic, expressing his excitement.
"It has cost us a lot of sacrifice, many hours of work, but now seeing the fruits of our labor, with the delivery of venues makes us very happy and motivates us to continue, to not let down our arms, because there is still a long way to go," said Lima 2019 President, Carlos Neuhaus.
The overlay in the Athlete Village and some small venues still needs to be completed over the next 50 days. The Lima 2019 Torch Relay starts soon with the traditional lighting ceremony on July 2 in Teotihuacan, Mexico before traveling to Machu Picchu where the Torch Relay officially begins on July 4. The tour will hit Peru’s major cities before arriving at Peru’s National Stadium on July 26 for the Opening Ceremony.
25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only