PANAM SPORTS LAUNCHES ATHLETE AMBASSADOR CAMPAIGN FOR LIMA 2019

INTRODUCING TEAM PANAM SPORTS

THE BEST ATHLETES OF THE WORLD ARE COMING TO LIMA 2019

The Pan American Sports Organization is proud to present 10 of the world’s greatest athletes as Ambassadors of Team Panam Sports, athletes who will not only compete at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, but also embody the values of Americas Olympic Movement.

Team Panam Sports is more than just a group of Athlete Ambassadors with a combined 12 Olympic golds, 15 Pan American golds and 28 World Championships. They truly represent the core values of Excellence, Innovation, Integrity, Solidarity and Inclusion that define the Pan American Games, the spirit of competition and the unique diversity seen in Americas Olympic Movement.

MEXICO CITY (June 21, 2019) — Each edition of the Pan American Games brings new goals, new dreams and new challengers ready to prove themselves at the greatest sporting event of the Americas. New faces hoping to hear their national anthem with a medal draped around their neck.

From Olympic Champions to first-time competitors, each of the nearly 7,000 athletes preparing to compete at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games will seek glory for themselves and for their nations. But every athlete has a different story to tell.

With athletes from 41 countries stretching from Canada to Argentina competing in 39 sports from Canoe to Athletics, the Pan American Games are built on the power of diversity.

The Pan American Games celebrate the unique cultures, languages and people from across the Americas and unite them through the power of sport.

As Peru prepares to bring the continent together once more for the Lima 2019 Games, Panam Sports is thrilled to introduce eight athletes who epitomize the values of Americas Olympic Movement and are coming to Lima 2019 with their own dreams of greatness.

Nathan Adrian (USA), Mariana Pajon (COL), Paula Pareto (ARG), Luisito Pie (DOM), Yulimar Rojas (VEN), Briana Williams (JAM), Arthur Zanetti (BRA) Rommel Pacheco (MEX), Mijain Lopez (CUB) and Alexandra Grande (PER) have been chosen as the first ever Ambassadors of Team Panam Sports.

Team Panam Sports is more than just a group of Athlete Ambassadors. These 10 world-class athletes will all be competing at Lima 2019 as the next stop in their impressive careers. They truly represent the core values of Excellence, Innovation, Integrity, Solidarity and Inclusion that define the Pan American Games, the spirit of competition and the unique diversity seen in Americas Olympic Movement.

This incredible group of Champions has a combined 12 Olympic golds, 15 Pan American Games golds and 28 World Championship titles, but the athletes of Team Panam Sports were chosen more for their inspirational stories and the impact they’ve had on their sport, their country and their fans.

"We could not be more proud to introduce this stellar group of athletes as Team Panam Sports, a team of some of the greatest athletes not only in the Americas, but throughout the entire world. But the truth is, these are more than just Olympic and Pan American Games champions. Some have overcome injuries, while others have conquered every hardship in their life to climb to the top of the podium, but all of them continue to inspire their nations with their determination, perseverance and humility. I am sure that each Ambassador of Team Panam Sports will shine as an example of greatness during the Lima 2019 Pan American Games," said Panam Sports President, Neven Ilic.

As the faces of the Pan American Games, each athlete will be seen in official promotions for Lima 2019, including on television, online, in print and at the venues during the Games. They will inspire not only the youth of their country, but the youth of the world.

"I take great pride in being an Ambassador of Team Panam Sports, because I believe I represent not only my beloved country Venezuela, but also all the athletes of the American continent. To those who work hard day after day, who sacrifice a lot to travel great lengths and fight tirelessly to achieve their dreams," said three-time World Champion and Olympic medalist of Venezuela, Yulimar Rojas.

"It’s an honor for me to be included with this very select group of Olympic and World Champions. I am incredibly happy to share this experience with them and see firsthand the humility that it takes to fight day after day to achieve your goals. Not to mention, I will be able to welcome them in Lima, in my country. I am thankful to Panam Sports for this opportunity," added karateka and defending Pan Am Games Champion, Alexandra Grande.

With just over one month remaining until the Pan Am Games return, the athletes of Team Panam Sports have set their unbreakable focus on competing and winning on Americas’ biggest stage.

Team Panam Sports is coming to Lima 2019. Watch them make history.

ABOUT PANAM SPORTS

The Pan American Sports Organization (Panam Sports) is the leader of sport and the Olympic Movement in the Americas. We propel the development of sport and support our 41 member National Olympic Committees to inspire more participation in international competitions as well as participation of the youth to prepare the generation to come in our region.

Panam Sports works closely with athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOC), Organizing Committees of all regional games, Pan American Sport Confederations, International Federations (IF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to secure the success and celebration of our main event, the Pan American Games.

For the latest news and updates about Panam Sports, visit our website www.panamsports.org. Follow us on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @PanamSports

For more information, please contact:

Alejandro Goycoolea | Communications Director | alejandro@panamsports.org

+56 994 081 884

Kevin Nutley | Communications Manager | knutley@panamsports.org

+1 678 262 6612

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