Exactly two years before the Opening Ceremony of the biggest sports event in Peru’s history, Lima 2019 has unveiled the official mascot for the Pan American and Parapan American Games: Milco, a character inspired by Peru’s traditional Cuchimilco ceramic, known locally as ‘Huaco’.
The public unveiling took place at the Videna High Performance Centre in Lima, and followed an online poll that attracted nearly 44,000 votes – surpassing the total number of voters in both the Guadalajara 2011 and Toronto 2015 mascot competitions. After a panel of judges selected the shortlist of three mascots, the final winner was selected in an online public vote that began on 19 June. Milco narrowly defeated Wayqi the gecko, taking in excess of 20,000 votes to the runner-up’s 18,000. The winning designer, Andrea Norka Medrano Moy, was awarded PEN 15,000 for Milco. Wayqi the gecko’s designer received PEN 10,000 and the creator of third-placed Amantis the flower took home PEN 5,000.
The unveiling ceremony was hosted by Lima 2019 President, Carlos Neuhaus, and attended by senior figures in Peruvian sport and government, as well as the Lima 2019 Sports Ambassadors – many of whom will compete at the Pan American and Parapan American Games.
Lima 2019 President Carlos Neuhaus said: "This mascot represents a major milestone in Peruvian sports history and will be seen worldwide. Milco will be the face of our Games for tens of thousands of spectators here in Lima during the Pan American and Parapan American Games, and for millions of fans across the Americas throughout the buildup to the most important sporting event Peru has ever hosted.
"We are delighted to have Milco on the team, and with the enthusiasm the people of Lima and Peru had for participating in the mascot competition. It is a very positive sign of the growing interest in Lima 2019 as we move in to a critical phase in our preparations with two years to go."
About Milco, official mascot of the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games
The winning mascot, Milco, was designed by Andrea Norka Medrano Moy. Her mascot drew on the "Cuchimilco" tradition – statuettes from ancient cultures that developed in Peruvian mid-western cities, such as Lima, Chancay and Chincha.
In second place was Ayacucho-born Alfredo Vitor Ayala, creator of Wayqi. His artwork alludes to the Lima gecko, an elusive and agile lizard found only in the archaeological sites of the capital. "Wayqi" is a Quechua word meaning "brother".
Third place went to "Amantis", which was created by 20 year-old Andy Maverick Alegre Campos. His design is a clear reference to the famous Amancaes flower, which grows in the hills of Lima, especially in winter, and is strongly associated with the host city.
The Mascot will be present at major sports and promotional activities before, during and after the Lima 2019 Games.
For more information, please contact:
Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, Communications Unit
National Sports Village (VIDENA)
Johnny Ayala Valverde
Tel: 982059410
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