There are nearly 212 days left until the beginning of the Santiago 2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games, and the Minister of Sports, Jaime Pizarro, visited the San Pedro de la Paz district, Biobío region, to lead the activation of the clock that marks the countdown for the beginning of the most important multisport event that has ever taken place in the history of Chile.
Along with the regional presidential delegate, Daniela Dresdner; the governor, Rodrigo Díaz; the major of San Pedro de la Paz, Javier Guiñez Cortés; the Santiago 2023 Chief Executive Officer, Gianna Cunazza; the president of the Chilean Olympic Committee, Miguel Ángel Mujica; the Sport seremi, Andrea Saldaña; the regional directors of the Instituto Nacional del Deporte - IND (National Sport Institute), Leonardo Baño; among other regional and local authorities, the State secretary had the chance to share with hundred of neighbors, girls, boys, and young people during his stay in the city.
The official activity carried out at the Biobío region is the first in which the new Minister of Sports attended outside of the Metropolitan region since he assumed the position. During his stay in San Pedro de la Paz, he emphasized how important this event is for the current government of Gabriel Boric and the Santiago 2023 Corporation, and how much they both want people from Biobío to get closer to the Games. Making those people protagonists of this festival, achieving decentralization and accessing sport for everybody.
In this context, the Minister indicated that “for our ministry, it is very important to bring together every kind of sport event to all Chileans. This is why I’m happy to be here today in San Pedro de la Paz to kick off this multisport event, Santiago 2023, as it has been already done in other regions such as O’Higgins and Valparaíso. So, we invite the community to be part of this festival because I’m sure that dreams related to sport can be achieved and we need everyone to be protagonists and part of this celebration.”
Authorities and athletes participated in the activity. (Picture from: Santiago 2023).
In addition, he highlighted the constancy, the working years, the talent, and passion the Team Chile and Team Para Chile members from Biobío have, and he added that “this region counts with first level athletes that have worn the Chilean t-shirt competing in the most important events of our continent. These athletes have won several medals, becoming outstanding representatives in the diverse sport disciplines, so we are full of pride and expect to keep seeing them shine during the development of Santiago 2023.”
Additionally, the president of the Chilean Olympic Committee, Miguel Ángel Mujica, indicated that “the sport events have all kinds of legacies, all of them are very important. We would like that children from San Pedro de la Paz be inspired by the Games, so we could have, in the future, hundreds of new male and female rowers and athletes to give Team Chile during the next years. Let’s transform sports into a great tool to have a better community.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Santiago 2023, Gianna Cunazza, pointed out that “our goal is related to bringing together the Chilean citizens to this event, which is the biggest one organized by Chile in its history. I would like to thank all the authorities from the region, the several institutions that have helped to make this possible, and I do believe this event is an example of all the work we’ve been doing to carry out the competitions.”
MAKING SPORTS AVAILABLE FOR ALL
During the development of this event, the intervention of regional authorities was relevant to explain how important it will be for the inhabitants from San Pedro de la Paz and the Biobío region, due to the fact that they will witness those disciplines that have been more developed in that zone.”
The presidential delegate, Daniela Dresdner, said that “this event is very important for the whole region, we’re all institutions working together with this purpose. We’re very proud about the coordinated work we’ve been doing with the communities, and the absolute respect for them and nature.”
Athletes from the Biobio Region. (Picture from: Santiago 2023).
Moreover, the governor, Rodrigo Díaz, said that “Santiago 2023 is something to be proud of. During the government of the ex-president Bachelet, in 2017, the State committed to carry out this event. Also, through the government of the ex-president Piñera, people worked to develop it, and nowadays the current government of president Gabriel Boric hasn't stopped. This is a clear proof that it is necessary to have long-term objectives and big challenges. This is a learning experience for all.”
The mayor of San Pedro de la Paz, Javier Guiñez Cortés, was thankful for the attendance of the Minister of Sports and he didn’t hide how proud is the district to be a venue for Santiago 2023, and commented that “the challenge is to start a learning process that helps us bond with each other, where we can learn how to behave and seek the balance with the environment and patrimony. We expect this sanctuary to be a space for a lot of national and international sport competitions. This place has been the cradle for great athletes.”
Finally, once the countdown clock ceremony ended, the Minister of Sports, Jaime Pizarro, and the attendees shared with the sport beneficiaries of the sport workshops that are being developed in the area by the regional IND and the municipality. It was possible to witness the positive effects and power that free recreational and physical activity have on the communities.
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