This was demonstrated by the successful Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. One year after the largest sporting event on the continent, we remember its best moments.

The Lima 2019 Parapan American Games brought together the best athletes in the Americas in a tournament of increasing importance for certain disciplines, especially those that are part of the qualifying process for the next Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 

The contest, which took place over ten days in the Peruvian capital, had the participation of 1,890 athletes from 30 countries, a figure higher than what had occurred in Toronto 2015, where 1,600 athletes participated.  

The head of Integration and Para Pan American Sports of the Santiago 2023 Corporation, Giana Cunazza, confirms that the participation of athletes will continue to increase, since "there are around 2000 athletes who will be part of the next Games", although the number of sports and disciplines will be maintained. 

Although the participation of attendees and athletes increases, Gianna Cunazza assures that “the organization of the next Games continues to be a challenge and the main objective of Santiago 2023 is to advance so that the Parapan American world is valued in the same way as the Pan American , and that in practice it shows. "

In this sense, in Lima 2019 athletes demonstrated a high level of performance and the Games were marked by great achievements, such as the new Paralympic records. The Brazilian athlete, Petrúcio Ferreira, managed to break his mark twice, becoming the champion and current world record of the 100 and 200 meters in athletics.

It was also the case of Juan Carlos Garrido, the Chilean powerlifter who broke his own mark established in Toronto 2015, going from lifting 175 kg to 185 kg. On the other hand, the Colombian swimmer, Sara Vargas, became the youngest medalist in Lima 2019, with four golds and a silver girl at just 12 years old. 

More medals than yesterday, fewer medals than tomorrow

Just as the number of athletes increased, the medal list was not indifferent. Of the 959 total medals seen in Toronto, in Lima they went on to be 1,117. The young Chilean tennis player, Tamara Leonelli, was in charge of inaugurating the Para Pan American medal count, with a gold medal. 

The brilliant performance of the Chilean Alberto Abarza, who achieved the remarkable collection of three gold medals and two silver in para swimming, will be remembered in times to come.  Supported by Abarza, Chile's results were historic with 10 gold medals, 12 silver and 10 bronze medals, far superior to their previous participation in Toronto 2015 where the nationals returned with 4 golds, 2 silvers and 6 bronzes.

Finally, the Brazilian delegation, with a total of 308 medals, took the top spot. The United States managed to rank second with 185 medals, while the Mexicans won 158, leaving them in third place in the medal count. 

The 2019 Lima Para Pan American Games were more than successful for both athletes and attendees. The former proved all their talent, while the latter celebrated the sporting festival. We hope that in Santiago 2023 this enriching experience of culture, sport and inclusion can be repeated and improved.

Relive the big moments of the contest: