The Panama Paralympic Committee presented the delegation of 14 athletes who will be competing in the V Youth Parapan American Games 2023, which will be held in the city of Bogotá, Colombia from June 2 to 12.
The Panamanian team is made up of: José Barreno (para-athletics), Mateo Edward (guide), Keitly Escobar (para-athletics), Nataly Bermudez (para-athletics), Edvardo Ají (para-athletics), Josue De León (para-athletics), Rubén Pitty (para-athletics), Salim Castillo (paraswimming), Alejandra Córdoba (paraswimming), José Atencio (paraswimming), Ahmir Saldaña (paraswimming), Andrea González (parapowerlifting), Carlos Monrroy (parapowerlifting), Juan Arosemena (boccia). The delegation is completed by coaches Carlos Terán, Máximo Viquez, Andrés Rodríguez, Federico Rodríguez, Shirley Castro (physiotherapist) and Luis Santamaría (head of mission).
The Youth Parapan American Games are the door for the youngest para-athletes on the continent to test themselves in international competitions and wear, in many cases, the colors of their country for the first time, as well as being the opportunity for them to try to find brands that bring them closer to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Luis Denis Arce, General Director of the Panamanian Institute of Sports, was in charge together with Iris González, Director of the National Secretary of Disability, to deliver the National Pavilion to the athletes Andrea González and Juan Arosemena, who will be the flag bearers and will carry the tricolor in the inaugural parade, which for the second time in history will be in Bogotá.
“On behalf of the National Government, we want to tell you that you are an inspiration and you will have the full support of the nation in these important games in Bogotá, continue to be successful and do not give up, we are very proud of you,” said Luis Denis Arce.
These games have been held every four years since 2005, when the first version took place in Barquisimeto (Venezuela), the following venues were Bogotá (2009), Buenos Aires (2013) and São Paulo (2017). In 2021 they were not carried out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Iveth del Rosario, General Secretary of the Paralympic Committee of Panama, said she was very happy to have a new generation of athletes in Panama.
“Today we deliver the most important uniform and it is the pride of representing the country, remember that the Paralympic movement is a lifestyle,” said Iveth
The sports in which there will be competitions in Bogotá are para-athletics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, goalball, judo, parapowerlifting, para-swimming, sitting volleyball, soccer for the blind, soccer for cerebral palsy, para-table tennis, and wheelchair tennis.
Countries like Argentina, Aruba, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic , Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela have confirmed their participation.
