In less than eight months Chile and the whole continent will get excited with the Santiago 2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games, the largest multisport event that our country has organized in its history.
With the non-stop countdown advancing, now is the moment to add important figures from the national sport to our team, who will be responsible to carry out the spirit of the Games throughout the whole country during the following months.
Do you want to know who will join us on this trip?
Find out below!
NICOLÁS MASSÚ: Symbol of the Olympic Games in Chile. He is the only athlete in the history of our country to achieve an individual Olympic gold medal, an achievement accomplished during Athens 2004 where he also obtained first place in the double competition along with Fernando González.
He has not been distanced from tennis at all. He has been working as captain of the Copa Davis national team since 2014, space from where he transmits his experience to new Chilean tennis players generations. At 43 years old, he comes to contribute with his passion, heart, and sporting pride that has characterized him during his career.
Learn more about his story here
ROBINSON MÉNDEZ: One of the biggest referents of Para sports in our country. With a career of more than two decades, Robinson had a long career in wheelchair tennis, a discipline in which he achieved to be the eleventh best player in the world.
However, in 2016 he decided to turn his sporting career around. He started practicing Para canoe, a discipline in which he has also made important achievements at a Pan American and worldwide level. Since mid-2022, he is leading the Development Unity of the Instituto Nacional de Deportes, also known as Promesas Chile, a place from where he monitors the development of the following high-performance athletes of our country. Robinson Méndez will help us to highlight the importance of inclusion and the development of Parapan American sports.
Learn more about his story here
SAMMIS REYES: At 27 years old has become one of the most recognized figures of the national sportive stage. He started as a basketball player and became a national team player. In 2020 the course of his career changed and he turned it in the direction of American football, a sport in which he achieved to be the first Chilean player to debut in the National Football League (NFL).
Even when he is residing in the United States and practicing a sport that is not part of the Olympic cycle, Sammis accepted the invitation of Santiago 2023 to join as an ambassador, with the objective of transmitting the importance of sports in life and motivating young people to follow their dreams.
Learn more about his story here
FRANCISCA MARDONES: Just as Robinson Méndez did, she started practicing wheelchair tennis, achieving two Pan American bronze medals and participated at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Since 2017 she began practicing Para athletics, competing in javelin, discus, and shot put (in this last category she has achieved the best results). Currently, she is the Paralympic and worldwide champion and, also, the owner of the world record in her specialty.
In the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, she obtained the gold medal in shot put. This outstanding national athlete will join us to show the challenges and developments of Para sports in our country.
Learn more about her story here
YASMANI ACOSTA: Despite being born in Cuba, the Greco-Roman wrestler of 35 years old considered Chile as his home since the moment he decided to obtain the nationality. Six years have passed since that moment and Yasmani has become one of the most highlighted athletes in our country, reaching relevant achievements at national and international levels.
With the eyes set on a new Olympic cycle in which he can improve his fourth place from Tokyo 2020, Yasmani Acosta will help us to transmit the Olympic spirit that surrounds the Games.
Learn more about his story here
KRISTEL KÖBRICH: She is considered the most prominent swimmer in our country’s history. With 21 years of career, she is more relevant than ever, and with a long list of triumphs that includes Pan American medals, five consecutive participations in Olympic Games, and ten successive appearances in worldwide championships, she is the swimmer that has attended this event more times.
Also, she has been recognized as the best Latin American swimmer for the second time. Kristel Köbrich joins our team to transmit the essence of the Games and the value that means defending Chile in sportive competitions.
