Yesterday, Saturday, the Pan American Torch that symbolizes the arrival of the Pan American and Parapan American Games to the country landed in Ñuble where it was received by local athletes in the middle of a true citizen celebration that brought together hundreds of passersby.
It all started in the Monumental Park of Chillán Viejo, where local cyclist Ignacio Labrín, national youth road cycling champion, was in charge of lighting the Pan-American flame to begin the tour through the main streets of the intercommune.
In its first section, the circuit contemplated the streets of Avenida O`Higgins, Rosauro Acuña and Pedro Aguirre Cerda, until reaching the Nelson Oyarzún Arenas Stadium, where a crowd of boys and girls from different municipal sports workshops cheered the entrance to the Navea venue. carrying the torch.
“The joy of the people when they saw the caravan of athletes passing by with the torch was very exciting. The logistics turned out to be perfect, and for that we must thank the Carabineros who coordinated the entire operation,” said Seremi del Deporte, Julio Jorquera, who led the coordination of the event with the different public services.
After the Stadium, the tour continued along Avenida Collín and 5 de Abril to head to the Municipal Market, an emblematic place in the city where hundreds of stallholders and passers-by applauded the caravan and took the opportunity to take photos with the torch.
Leonardo Olate, pole vaulter from San Nicolás and number two in the world in the youth category, was one of the athletes who carried the torch in the central section. “I think it has been one of the most special milestones that the region has had. It was an honor to be able carry the torch through the market, one of the most iconic places in Chillán,” said Olate.
For his part, the mayor of Chillán, Camilo Benavente, said that “sport unites us all, and these Games (Santiago 2023) will mark a before and after. “The Chillanejos should see this type of activities as part of a country-wide event, where Chillán will also be present with conventional and Paralympic athletes.”
After the Market, the Pan-American torch caravan continued its last stretch to the Plaza de Armas of Chillán, in front of the Cathedral, where Paralympic tennis player Florencia Pérez, who is classified for Santiago 2023, was in charge of carrying the flame to the stage where the cauldron was arranged.
“It was very exciting to be the last one. The torch was still heavy, but I didn’t have any problems. It is a pride to be present at this milestone that has never been done in the region, and also to be the last one in charge of closing the route,” said Florencia Pérez.
Other local athletes who carried the torch were Armin Rosas, from Chillán Viejo (para-tenimes player); Juan Quijada, from Yungay (long distance runner); Vicente Pino, from Yungay (para-powerlifting); Alan Muñoz, from Quirihue (trail running); Tomas Parra, from San Carlos (handball); Fernanda Donoso, from Coihueco (athletics); among others.
Mario Valenzuela also carried the torch, as a representative of the IND and Anef; Manuel Rojas, representatives of tenants of the Municipal Market; and Luciano González, representative of Sernatur, among others.
“The Pan American Torch has traveled throughout the country, from north to south. For this reason, and under the mandate of President Gabriel Boric, we have given the greatest importance to this milestone and it also serves to relieve our local athletes,” concluded the Presidential Delegate of Ñuble, Gabriel Pradenas.
