Peru Vice President Tapped to Oversee Pan Ams

(ATR) Peru Olympic Committee president Jose Quinones confirms to Around the Rings that Martin Vizcarra will now oversee preparations for Lima 2019.

Vizcarra, Peru’s Vice President and transportation minister, was appointed by President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski to keep tabs on developments for the Pan American Games after education minister Jaime Saavedra was ousted from Peru’s Congress.

Saavedra had originally been appointed to oversee Lima 2019 but was reported to be sacked due to his lack of support for the Pan Am Games project. Peru’s new education minister Marilú Martens does not yet have a specified role with Lima 2019 now that the transportation ministry is overseeing the project.

While Vizcarra will not have an official title related to Lima 2019, Quinones says he is confident he will contribute to the success of the games.

"He has a lot of experience in construction and leading regional government and I am sure that President Kuczynski appointed him to speed the works," Quinones tells ATR.

These changes within the national government have posed a bit of concern for the Pan American Sports Organization. PASO vice president Ivar Sisniega says the organization was surprised by Saavedra’s resignation.

Sisniega tells ATR that PASO will closely monitor these "troubling incidents" and changes within the government ahead of its next inspection likely to take place within the first two months of the new year.

Vizcarra is expected to begin monitoring preparations for Lima 2019 in 2017 according to Quinones.

Reported by Kevin Nutley

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