Sadly, the Peruvian Water Polo Team qualified for the South American Games, but won't be able to participate because the Peruvian Swimming Federation's officials demanded that they themselves pay not only for their tickets, but also for the travel insurance to Paraguay.
"At first, one of the team members spoke with the technical vocal from the (Swimming) Federation to find out the reason behind the situation. The response was that there was no budget. We do want to compete, but we do not agree with having to pay to go, because, on top of everything, in order to practice the sport in the country, we already have to assume monthly expenses," said Eduardo Grández, one of the team members, to RPP Noticias.
However, beyond the indignation that this may cause, a change in the position of the Peruvian Swimming Federation would be pointless, as the water polo selection explains, everything is already settled at an international level within the organization of the event. This means that the deadlines have already passed.
"Right now, there's nothing else we can do because we won't compete, but at least we want to set a precedent for water polo and also serve as an example for other disciplines. Just like us, there are many more sports facing problems. The role of the official is to find ways to support, solve, and promote the proper functioning of the athlete and the sport, not to take it away," he concluded.
Thus, Peru won't participate in the water polo discipline at the 2022 South American Games, which will take place in Asunción, between October 1st and 15th. The countries that will be represented are Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and the host, Paraguay.
On the other hand, from RPP Noticias, we tried to contact the Peruvian Swimming Federation to hear their side of the story, but we didn't receive a response.
Peru in the 2022 South American Games
This Saturday, the opening ceremony of the Asunción 2022 South American Games will take place. In the case of Peru, they will parade with Angelo Caro and Alexandra Grande as their flag bearers. In total, there are approximately 400 athletes in the Peruvian delegation.
In the previous edition of the South American Games, the Peruvian team won 92 medals: 22 gold, 29 silver, and 41 bronze. The sports with the highest number of Peruvians are athletics, chess, badminton, boxing, canoeing, water skiing, fencing, judo, karate, weightlifting, wrestling, artistic swimming, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, shooting, triathlon, sailing, volleyball, beach volleyball, soccer, and beach soccer.
Our first representatives to compete will be Angelo Caro and Deivid Tuesta in skateboarding.
Ángelo Caro, prior to the 2022 South American Games
After winning the gold medal at the Urban World Series in Barcelona, Ángelo Caro now aims to not only win the gold medal at the XII Asunción 2022 South American Games, but also qualify for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.
"I know that we will come back with the gold medal, we will fight for it. That's why we want all Peruvians to support us and send positive vibes to all the national athletes who are in Asunción, to motivate us, because we need that encouragement to keep going," said Ángelo Caro upon his arrival in Asunción.
"I feel happy to carry my country's flag for the second time and that motivates me to keep growing as a professional and surpass myself. I won't disappoint all those who believed in me. I will bring the gold medal," he added to Team Perú Noticias.
Peru National Soccer Team Schedule at the 2022 Asunción Games
Tuesday, October 4th
Paraguay vs. Peru
Time: 3:00 p.m. (Peruvian time)
Thursday, October 6th
Peru vs. Venezuela
Time: 2:00 p.m. (Peruvian time)
Saturday, October 8th
Uruguay vs. Peru
Time: 2:00 p.m. (Peruvian time)
The Peruvian U20 National Team recently participated in the 2022 Revelations Cup in Mexico. The result was two losses (against the United States and Mexico) and one draw against Paraguay.