Last Thursday, February 1, Panam Sports announced that Lima and Asunción are the two candidates to host the 2027 Pan American Games. This sporting event was supposed to take place in Barranquilla, but will ultimately be played between Peru or Paraguay. In this context, the President said Peruvian Olympic Committee, Renzo Manyari, He spoke to La República and expressed optimism that the Peruvian capital would host this top competition for the second time.
Lima's nomination for the 2027 Pan American Games
—How did the initiative to nominate Lima for the 2027 Pan American Games come about?
—There is a strategic plan of the Peruvian Olympic Committee for the year 2028, which envisages the support, promotion and encouragement of sports and multi-sport events in the country. That's why we have the 2024 and 2025 Bolivarian Games, some World, South American and Parapan American Federation Championships. In this sense, there is a whole phase, a plan, so that the national sport can develop and organize targeted events that promote sporting development.
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—What other factor led Lima to apply now rather than later?
“If we had not applied on this occasion, it would mean that we would not only have to wait for the next candidacy for the 2031 Pan American Games, where there are very strong candidates, but also that we would have to renew the application in principle. “The majority of the infrastructure is at the national level. That's why we've reached a real intermediate point where investments in infrastructure are still minimal and we only have to invest in temporary infrastructure and the purchase of sports equipment. Using the money until 2017 will result in greater profitability than if we did so after 2031.
—Why should Lima be chosen for these Pan American Games?
—I can tell you the advantages that Lima offers. In this sense, we have a world-class sports infrastructure with the highest standards and almost all of it meets Olympic standards. That's why we can run the vast majority of qualifying events for the Olympics.
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Benefits of hosting Lima 2027
—What was done in Lima in 2019 was highlighted internationally, what could be new for 2027?
—Some of the changes for 2027 are that we would have Terminal 2 of Jorge Chávez Airport ready, the elevation gain on Avenida Santa Rosa would be very important, and another lane could be added on the Panamericana to reach the Panamericana Village In in a way much faster, more efficient and with less traffic. In addition, the rowing field would be improved, the canoe sports scene would be improved and new scenarios would be created for hosting new disciplines such as cricket.
—From an economic perspective, what is the estimated amount you want to invest?
—The return on investment would be three dollars for every dollar invested. With this in mind, we plan to invest a maximum of $300 million; That means we would have a return of at least $900 million. On the other hand, you noted that in 2019, Lima brought the country 5.2 billion soles in revenue; One has to imagine that with the presence of Marca Perú, the country has generated more than a billion dollars. More than 500,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs were created in Lima in 2019. What I mentioned to you and other things ultimately had a positive impact on the country.
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—What aspects would the election of Lima 2027 bring to the population in addition to creating new jobs?
“Lima 2027 is committed to offsetting the footprint created by the carbon impact of these types of competitions and we can replant trees and create forests for Olympic and Paralympic sports.” Also on a social level, the entire highly competitive national one Infrastructure remaining after the 2019 Pan American Games is absolutely accessible, but the route to this infrastructure is not accessible. Then a very interesting legacy can also be created so that people with disabilities can easily access sports facilities.
—The selection of the venue for the 2027 Pan American Games will take place on March 12th. Are some countries visited to promote? What is missing?
“This is a very special campaign as traveling to countries to carry out the campaign is now no longer allowed, it will be something purely virtual.” I believe that there has never been such a case in the history of Panam Sports. On the other hand, a visit by Panam Sports managers to Lima is planned, which I believe will take place in the last week of February. There you can appreciate the benefits and embrace the idea that Lima does not promise but is the reality.
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Why did Barranquilla lose the venue for the 2027 Pan American Games?
beginning of JanuaryPanama Sportsreleased a statement annulling the choice of Barranquilla as the new venue for the competition due to “numerous breaches of contract” by the coffee-growing country’s authorities.
The contract in question included paying $4 million for the “right to organize” the Pan American Games and another $4 million for “the granting of media rights.” Since these obligations could not be met, it was decided to relocate the headquarters.