PanAm Games awesome; athletes excel despite cold weather
Visiting athletes to the PanAmerican Games in Lima Peru shared common sentiments in their assessment of the experience so far- the belief that the hospitality has been exceptional, the facilities are fantastic, crowd support has been phenomenal, a commitment to outstanding performances and the fact that the weather is cold!
This was disclosed during a press conference, on August 3, to evaluate the first eight dates of the Games, essentially marking the halfway period.
Athlete representatives Rheeza Grant, a Trinidad and Tobago female beach volleyball player, summarized her Games experience.
Trinidad and Tobago was the only English speaking Caribbean representation, male or female, at the PanAm Games beach competition.
Grant was in high praise for the organizers of the event.
Connor Baxter of the United States, who won gold in the stand-up paddling competition- the first time the discipline is being offered at the PanAm Games level- also had high praise for the Lima 2019 organizing committee. He indicated that it allowed for the athletes’ focus to be even more refined.
Grant and Baxter shared the press conference podium with Brazilian Lena Guimaraes, who won gold in the female bracket of stand up paddling, Peru’s Itsel Delgado who won bronze in male Stand up paddling and Ariana Orrego, a Peruvian gymnast, who just missed a podium spot.
Also at the press conference were Ivar Sisniega, the Secretary General of PanAm Sports and Alberto Valenzuela, the Director General of the PanAmerican Games.
The warm hospitality of the Peruvian volunteers and organizers has certainly warmed the hearts of the athletes who are competing in cold conditions.
I leave you with a quote from Climatology expert Lourdes Menis Álvarez, “The winter of 2018 was one of the coldest in almost 50 years. However, the winter of 2019 has already surpassed it in intensity.
Shawn Seabrookes, at the Main Press Center, at the PanAmerican Games, in Peru.