Pan American Games underway in Spectacular Style

Peruvians could not ask for a better beginning to the XVIII Pan American Games taking place in Lima, Peru from July 26 to August 11. Following last Friday’s dramatic opening ceremony, the next day the host nation captured two gold medals in the men’s and women’s marathon.

Renowned Peruvian runner Gladys Tejeda placed first, covering the 42km distance in a record time of 2:30.55. Compatriot Cristhian Pacheco captured his gold medal in the men’s marathon, after covering the 42km distance in another record-breaking time of 2:09.55.

The games officially got underway on July 24, a few days prior to the opening ceremony. In all there are 39 sports and 61 disciplines featuring 6,680 athletes from all over the world. All 41 nations that are members of the Pan American Sports Organization, including Saint Lucia, displayed their nation’s flag, and athletes proudly strode during a colourful and lively march-past.

The opening ceremony touched on just about every aspect of Peruvian culture. On display were natural and cultural snippets of the country’s past and present. Spokesperson Carlos Manuel Lazarte described the opening ceremony as “spectacular”. In his estimation there were more than 30,000 spectators at the venue and 400 million viewers around the world.

As expected, the United States had a strong presence at the opening ceremony, numbering 643 athletes. Next in rank was the host country with 592. The packed venue erupted when Peru was introduced. The customary stadium wave was in motion but in this case “tidal” wave might have been a more appropriate name.

While it’s true there is strength in numbers, countries like Dominica with just two athletes, St Kitts and Nevis with four, Belize at six and Saint Lucia with seven, hope to show that quantity does not always equate with quality. Saint Lucia’s flag bearer was sailor Luc Chevrier. Many expected that honour to be bestowed on high jumper and reigning sportswoman of the year, and former gold medalist at the Pan American Games, Levern Spencer. However, she is not expected to arrive in Lima until Sunday August 4. No doubt, it was a privilege and honour for Chevrier to proudly display the Saint Lucian flag. 

It turns out that Spencer was not only Saint Lucian athlete or coach not in Peru in time for the opening. Anyone who viewed the televised march-past saw some unfamiliar faces accompanying Chef de Mission David “Shakes” Christopher, his Assistant Velica Augustin and our flag bearer Chevrier. Truth be told, the ever creative and quick thinking Christopher acknowledged and rewarded some of the hardworking volunteers who assisted him by including them in the march-past. 

Christopher has always been the life of the party and, remaining true to form, during the march-past he greeted costumed volunteers with high-fives and danced along the way. Notably, Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Edmund Estephane; Senator Fortuna Belrose who is also President of the St Lucia Olympic Committee; and International Olympic Committee member and former President of the SLOC, Richard Peterkin attended the opening ceremony.

Of course, high-ranking officials like Pan American Sports President Neven Llic and the President of Peru, Martin Vizcarra, were in attendance and delivered brief remarks, praising the organising committee for staging a terrific opening ceremony. 

When interviewed on Tuesday morning at the Atton Hotel, where this reporter and Marius Modeste of HTS are staying, along with other media from various countries, Belrose shared her views on the opening ceremony: “It was a fantastic event. Perhaps, from what we saw, it was one of the best organised of the games we have ever witnessed and really symbolized the essence of excellence. The Peruvians went all out to really display their culture during that ceremony.”

Commenting on Saint Lucia’s delegation she said: “At the time of the opening ceremony we only had one athlete in. As you know, at major games like this one, the athletes prefer to stay as long as they possibly can at their training centres. In our case our policy is that within five days of the event they are supposed to be here and so most of our athletes will be arriving at least five days prior to the actual competition.” 

Besides, Chevrier and Spencer, the other athletes competing for Saint Lucia are Jeanelle Scheper in high jump, Sandisha Antoine in triple jump, Albert Reynolds in javelin, Jean Luc Zephir in swimming and Stephanie Devaux-Lovell in sailing. Saint Lucia’s contingent also includes coaches Henry Bailey and Robert Hemming.

Chevrier and Devaux-Lovell compete today, Saturday August 3. Zephir is in action on Tuesday August 6. For Spencer, Scheper and Reynolds, the athletics competitions are on August 7, 8, 9 and 10. Their competing dates and times have not yet been finalized.