On Tuesday, November 17, the countdown to the Parapan American Games Santiago 2023 began. The event that will bring together the best Para athletes on the continent is 3 years away and is expected to be as or more successful than the Lima 2019 edition.

To highlight this milestone, Santiago 2023 carried out a new Instagram LIVE, which had the participation of Felipe De Pablo, executive director of Santiago 2023; the National Para athletes, Macarena Cabrillana and Alberto Abarza, and the award-winner Argentinian Para Swimmer Daniela Giménez. 

"We want to create the same conditions in both Games because we have the obligation and duty to deliver quality events," said the CEO of Santiago 2023, Felipe De Pablo, about the organization of the Parapan American Games in the country. "We are privileged to have a job where we can contribute enormously to society and permanently, and so that these Games are a before and after for the national Paralympic sport," he added.

For their part, the Chilean athletes detailed their goals for the next Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, where the world's No. 12 chair tennis player, Macarena Cabrillana, stated that “the triumphs I have recently had (champion in singles and doubles at the Open of Francia de Riviera) have opened my desire and expectations of going for the greatest thing”.

In addition, together with Alberto Abarza, they agreed on the importance that competing in their own country and with their audience would have in their sports career, an experience they would not want to lose. "Competing at home is from another galaxy and for me, it would be a dream to compete in Santiago 2023," said Alberto, the athlete who won the most medals for Chile in the Lima 2019 edition.

One of the stellar guests was the Argentine Para swimmer, world champion and multiple Parapan American medalist, Daniela Giménez, who spoke about the importance of sport in her life and in social inclusion. "I feel super lucky with the life I have and I love it when Paralympic sport is part of the inclusion of people with disabilities," said Giménez. Regarding her possible participation in Santiago 2023, she confessed that she is not sure of getting to compete that year, due to a possible sports retirement before that date. Although, she mentions, "the Parapan Americans are the event that I enjoy the most."

Also present were the president of the Paralympic Committee of Chile, Ricardo Elizalde, and the president of the Paralympic Committee of the Americas, Julio César Ávila. Through a video, both sent a greeting emphasizing the importance of the event and its contribution to society and the development of athletes.

The online space lasted about an hour and all the guests were excited about the arrival of this historic event in our country, and to be able to give their best to make the Parapan Americans an unforgettable event.