A total of 11 emblematic athletes and Para athletes joined the Santiago 2023 Corporation's Ambassadors Program, joining six others who had already accepted the call to promote the Pan American and Parapan American Games among the citizens.
The list of renowned exponents of high performance, whose stories inspired and moved the country, was joined today by former tennis player Fernando González, golfers Joaquín Niemann and Guillermo "Mito" Pereira, triathlete Bárbara Riveros, weightlifter María Fernanda Valdés, Para swimmer Alberto Abarza, Para cyclist Adolfo Almarza, Para archer Mariana Zúñiga, water skier Felipe Miranda and rowers Antonia and Melita Abraham.
These representatives not only represent the values of the most important multisport event in the country's history, but also transmit positive energy, a spirit of perseverance and embody our great social legacy.
The "Bomber of La Reina", who is on the podium of the best Chilean athletes with his unprecedented three Olympic medals (gold, silver and bronze), his fifth place in the ATP ranking, his 11 titles and the 2003 National Sports Award. He was joined by golfers "Joaco" Niemann, winner of two PGA Tour tournaments, and his partner Guillermo "Mito" Pereira, fourth place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in addition to Riveros, multi medalist and Pan American champion.
On February 27th, the organizing committee announced its first six ambassadors, including the tennis player Nicolás Massú, Para shot putter Francisca Mardones, Para athlete Robinson Méndez, swimmer Kristel Köbrich, American soccer player Sammis Reyes, and wrestler Yasmani Acosta.
Review here the main achievements of the other exponents that made them represent the Games with their human and sporting values:
The paralympic multichampion Alberto Abarza is one of ours ambassadors. (Picture: COPACHI).
Alberto Abarza (38 years old)
Para swimmer
He is the maximum winner of Paralympic medals in the history of our country, all of them won during his participation at Tokyo 2020: gold in 100 meters backstroke S2, silver in 50 meters backstroke S2 and silver in 200 meters freestyle S2.
He has five Parapan American medals (three golds and two silvers), won at Lima 2019.
National Sports Award 2018.
"I participate in this program demonstrating that sport is for everyone, that it changes lives, that it’s for girls and boys, that there are many very important things such as discipline, companionship, and values that sport provides. My contribution is more for the girls and boys. May they enjoy it, may we learn to smile."
María Fernanda Valdés (31 years old)
Weightlifter
Double Pan American silver medalist in the -75 kg category, won at Guadalajara 2011 and Toronto 2015.
World runner-up at 2017.
National Sports Award at 2017.
"It’s an honor for me to represent Santiago 2023. I didn’t hesitate to be part of the most important sporting event of the continent, which I know will transcend and transform our sporting culture. Being an ambassador of the Games is to live the celebration of sport, it’s something that every athlete has to feel."
Mariana Zúñiga (20 years old)
Para archery athlete
Silver medalist at Tokyo 2020.
At the South American Games of Asuncion 2022 she became the first Chilean Paralympic athlete to win a medal in conventional competition: bronze in mixed compound archery with Alejando Martin.
“As an ambassador, I think it’s important to promote the sport, both Paralympic and conventional, so that more people can get closer to it. It’s necessary to experience it and expand more and more the vision of the national sport, and in this way, also, to capture the attention of future talents so that they can grow.”
The para archery Mariana Zuñiga is a new Santiago 2023 ambassador. (Picture: COPACHI).
Adolfo Almarza (35 years old)
Para mountain biker and cyclist
The only Para athlete in the world to do professional downhill with prosthesis in both legs.
First cyclist with prosthesis to complete the Ultra Marathon XC race in the Atacama Desert, getting the third place in teams after running 530 kilometers.
"I understand the responsibility and commitment that is to represent our country, since I have been representing Chile in professional sports for more than 17 years. All my achievements are based on teamwork and this is the message that we'll transmit to all athletes in Chile and to the new generations that are being formed".
Felipe Miranda (37 years old)
Water skier
The maximum referent of the discipline in our country. He’s the Chilean who has won the most Pan American achievements in history, with seven medals: one gold, two silver, and four bronze.
Nine gold medals in the South American Games.
Overall world champion in 2013.
National Sports Award 2013.
"For me, it’s an honor to be part of this program that aims to inspire the country with sporting examples. Besides putting all my effort in the water, I will give all my energy to be a great representative, inspiring many."
Antonia Abraham (25 years old)
Rower
Three Pan American medals, five in South American Games and seven in Bolivarian Games.
Gold medal at the 2017 World Cup and bronze in 2018, both in the Under 23 category.
"To experience the Games at home is a dream come true. In the Laguna Grande in San Pedro de la Paz was where we took our first strokes. Our friends and families will be there cheering us on. We’re proud to be ambassadors of Santiago 2023, to show what we’re made of: perseverance, passion, and resilience."
Melita Abraham (25 years old)
Rower
Three Pan American medals, five in South American Games and seven in Bolivarian Games.
Gold medal in the 2017 World Cup and bronze in 2018, both in the Under 23 category.
"It fills me with joy, because not only I’ll be representing the country in the Games and giving the best of myself, but also transmitting the energy that comes from the regions. We will compete in San Pedro de la Paz, home of rowing and canoeing, which is our home, where we grew up. I believe that Santiago 2023 is an opportunity to take the sport to the farthest corners of Chile."
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