The organization of the Santiago 2023 Games, the most important multi-sport event in the country's history, added new signings. On Monday, the names that will give life to the Ambassadors Program were revealed, forming a "dream team" of Olympic and Paralympic sports.
The Minister of Sports, Alexandra Benado; the executive director of the Games, Gianna Cunazza, and the president of the Chilean Olympic Committee, Miguel Ángel Mujica, were in charge of welcoming the double Olympic medalist Nicolás Massú, and Para athlete Robinson Méndez.
They are joined, so far, by swimmer Kristel Köbrich, wrestler Yasmani Acosta, American football player Sammies Reyes, and Para athlete Francisca Mardones, with more names expected in the months leading up to the event.
The Minister highlighted the sports trajectory and merits of these idols that allow them to be role models in the country. "Our ambassador program not only represents something symbolic, but also reflects all the values that we want to represent in Santiago 2023. We have a tremendous opportunity to go out into the world as Chileans, and I have no doubt that our ambassadors will reflect that," she stated.
On her part, the Chief Executive Officer of the Games, Gianna Cunazza, detailed the role they will have in the lead-up to the Games. "It is a very important milestone because we are convinced that the faces and people we have chosen in this initial stage of the ambassador program will allow us to make the Games widely known," she said.
The President of the Chilean Olympic Committee, Miguel Ángel Mujica, referred to the inspiring role of the ambassadors for the rest of Team Chile: "We are going to have 700 Chilean athletes competing at home, which will lead to many children, mothers, and fathers also encouraging young people to get into sports. We are convinced that sports can change Chilean youth," he stated.
Robinson Mendez, Francisca Mardones, Nicolas Massu, Nicole Köbrich and Yasmani Acosta.
THE PRIDE OF THE AMBASSADORS
Representing "Team Santiago 2023," the double Olympic medalist and current Davis Cup captain, Nicolás Massú, highlighted the meaning of this event for the new generations and the general feeling of citizens.
"I want to offer my support, I want to be there for whatever they need, both from my experience as an athlete and as a coach. The new generations are important so they can see the relevance of these Games. To get the whole country united, filling stadiums, going to watch sports, different disciplines, and that they can enjoy something so beautiful," he mentioned.
On his part, Para athlete Robinson Méndez, one of the first to excel in high-performance wheelchair tennis, reaching 11th in the world ranking, now a Para canoeist and in charge of the “Promesas Chile” program of the National Sports Institute (IND in Spanish), expressed his satisfaction with the distinction.
"It is an honor to live four Paralympic Games, also four Parapan American Games, and today to be an ambassador of our Games in Chile makes me proud. I want to invite all of Chile and all the people who will watch and cheer on our athletes," he said.
The Pan American Games will be held from October 20th to November 5th this year, hosting 39 sports and 60 disciplines; followed by the Parapan American Games, from November 17th to the 26th, with 17 sports and 18 disciplines.
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