Peruvian President praises progress on Pan American Village

Lima, Peru - The President of Peru, Martín Vizcarra Cornejo, praised Lima 2019’s progress in delivering key infrastructure projects for the Pan American and Parapan American Games after his inspection visit to the Pan American Village, and highlighted the Games’ potential to transform Peruvian sport and society.

President Vizcarra was joined by the Peruvian Minister of Transport and Communications, Edmer Truijillo Mori, to visit the venue which will host approximately 10,000 athletes and officials during the Games.

Lima 2019 Organising Committee President Carlos Neuhaus was on hand to welcome President Vizcarra and Minister Trujillo to the Village and gave them an update on construction progress.

The President and Minister toured the construction site and visited a model apartment. During the visit the President of Peru praised the progress being made at the Village, where four of seven towers are already complete, and the remaining three expected in August 2018.

"Construction is fully underway and we will deliver the Pan American Village with its total of 1096 apartments. Works started at the end of December and by April we have already completed four towers. That is an average of one tower per month. Work is ahead of schedule and set to be complete ahead of time," said President Vizcarra.

With Lima 2019’s infrastructure programme firmly on track, the President called for a shift in focus towards Peru’s successful participation at the Games: "Infrastructure will no longer be a problem. We now need to think about our performance. Let’s stop worrying about iron and cement and focus on our participation at the Games. We will review the other projects to confirm they are on schedule and ensure that the Games are under control, but the issue of infrastructure is already overcome. Now let's think about our athletes and their participation, which is the mostimportant aspect."

According to President Vizcarra, Lima 2019 is proof that Peru is ready to deliver on the global stage: "When Peru sets goals, it meets them. We will fulfil our responsibility. The infrastructure will remain in place and we must make use of it by boosting sports participation," he said.

"The Pan American and Parapan American Games are an opportunity to use sport as a tool to improve education. What I want from the Games is to provide a good service and the memory of a record-breaking medal haul for Peru. Let our participation be outstanding."

President Vizcarra reiterated the government’s goal of using the Lima 2019 Games to inspire greater sports participation among young Peruvians: "We will work in coordination with the Ministry of Education on sports participation in schools, as well as promotion so that students increase their knowledge of the Games. We must take advantage of this event to relaunch sport at all levels. Sport improves the quality of life and that is important," he said.

The Minister of Transport and Communications Edmer Truijillo Mori added: "The Lima 2019 Games is a chance to forge a better country based on the values of sport: excellence, friendship, respect and courage; determination, equality and inspiration."

The Lima 2019 Pan American Games will see approximately 6,700 athletes from 41 countries compete in 39 sports and 62 disciplines. The Games will take place between 26 July and 11 August 2019.

The Lima 2019 Parapan American Games will see 1,890 athletes compete in 17 sports and 18 disciplines between 23 August and 01 September 2019.

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