We arrived big and we left big. Peru arrived at Toronto 2015 with its largest delegation in history (158 athletes) and leaves, 17 days later, with the highest medal count since the first edition in 1951. Below, the balance of the Pan American Games.
A NEW CHAPTER
There's no turning back: Peru has won in Toronto 2015. With 4 gold medals, 3 silvers and 6 bronzes, the country achieved its best participation in Pan American history. Prior to Canada, our medal table had only 5 champions in the event (the last one 12 years ago). The official objective of the delegation was to surpass what was achieved in Guadalajara 2011 (2 silvers and 5 bronzes). We turned it around.
Definitely, Peru's presence in the medal table responds not only to the quality of our representatives, but also to an increase in the national budget dedicated to sports, which allows for better training and development of athletes. In 2015, the allocated money was 30 million soles - twice as much as in 2014. This is approximately 0.02% of the national budget. We still have a long way to go. In Guatemala, for example, a country with half the population of ours, they allocate 3%. There we see them in 10th place in the medal table with 6 golds. Talent alone is not enough to create champions, investment is needed.
THE USUAL
Contact sports, shooting, and long distance running again came through for Peru. Between karate and wrestling, our delegation won 5 (one gold, one silver, and three bronzes) out of the 13 total medals. Traditionally, these disciplines - along with taekwondo and judo - are responsible for adding to our country's medal count in international tournaments. Not to mention shooting. The most successful sport in Peruvian history added two more medals (gold for Pancho Boza and bronze for Marko Carrillo) to its count. What is almost an obligation now is to build a sports shooting center in the country for both pistol and shotgun. A space for training pistol is already being implemented at the CAR, but Peru does not have an official shooting range and field for competition. There is potential, if we worked on it we could have more surprises.
Long distance running events also contributed: Gladys Tejeda (gold) and Raúl Pacheco (silver) conquered the marathon, while injuries to Inés Melchor and Karina Villasana (10,000m) deprived us of other important medal opportunities.
During the closing ceremony of the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, the Marinera dance was performed. (Photo: AFP)
ANTIDOPING
Mauricio Fiol's positive test, beyond the specific case of the swimmer, exposed the serious deficiencies that Peru has regarding anti-doping. Our country does not have an anti-doping analysis laboratory, which means that athletes do not undergo these tests before traveling to compete. Thus, we arrive defenseless abroad, exposing them and Peru's image to compromising situations. The few samples collected must be sent to laboratories in neighboring countries (as was the case in the Bolivarian Games in Trujillo 2013, for example).
For Lima 2019, it is a requirement for the host city to have an anti-doping analysis center validated by the World Anti-Doping Agency. In Toronto 2015 alone, more than 1,500 tests were conducted. Although the National Anti-Doping Commission was formed in 2007, under the IPD, it has not been active for years. A serious absence that has cost us at the Pan American Games.
IN SOUTH AMERICA
Peru, despite its 4 gold medals, still ranks in the lower half of South America, the closest reality to our national sports. Yes, we have made progress, but so have the other countries. The great example is Colombia, which, although behind Brazil, continues to rise thanks to a great sports policy. The Colombians won 27 gold medals to surpass the 24 in Guadalajara 2011. Argentina, Ecuador, and Chile continue to have a much higher level than ours.
Unlike the previous edition of the Pan American Games, Peru moved up one place among South American countries: in 2011 we were eighth, behind Uruguay, today we are seventh, above that country.
ROAD TO 2019
In terms of sports, Toronto was extremely important as a firm step towards what Lima 2019 will be. The first thing was to bring a delegation with young presence. It was done. 61 out of the 158 athletes who arrived in Canada are 20 years old or younger. Their potential is enormous. There are Natalia Cuglievan (18), gold in water skiing; María Alejandra de Osma in the same discipline; Diego Elías, silver and bronze in squash; Luis Oblitas in taekwondo; or the synchronized swimming girls who, for the first time, qualified for the Pan American Games.
Creating a sports preparation plan for these remaining four years for our athletes is vital. In Lima 2019, Peru should have representation in all disciplines and the objective should be to compete, not just participate. The task is left to the IPD.
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#Toronto2015 ended and handed over to #Lima2019 ⏩ http://t.co/XFABE1ynOj pic.twitter.com/773rZmVi6F
— DT El Comercio (@DTElComercio) July 27, 2015