Still fresh in the memory of many participants and of all American sport, the I Junior Pan American Games in Cali-Valle, Colombia, are viewed with more favorable than negative opinions. And this was confirmed today by José Manuel Peláez, president of the Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI), when he weighed the joy of the participants, the quality of the event and the ability of the Colombian authorities to organize an event of this magnitude in two years.
In a post published on his personal page on Facebook, Peláez defined as “incredible experience” what he lived from December 25 to 5 in coffee lands and conveyed congratulations to all the medal-winning nations who were able to get on the podium in the four modalities called for this sport: track, route, BMX and Mountain Bike.
“The particularity of this event did not lie precisely in having been able or not to get on the podium, but in the fellowship and the joy experienced at the Alcides Nieto Patiño velodrome, on the roads of Buga, or on the Moutain Bike and BMX tracks, the which met all the requirements of the International Cycling Union ”, he stressed in his words.
“In addition, all health protocols were met and we appreciate that cyclists, coaches, mechanics, federation and journalists who covered the Games were convinced that they were part of a historic fight, for opening an essential path in the youth category in America. This is how Panam Sports conceived it and this is how we support it from the Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI) ”, he pointed out at another point in his message.
He finally ratified the support for the second version of 2025, on a date and venue yet to be defined. “Nothing is more important to sport than friendship and having incredible experiences. This edition in Cali-Valle 2021 was demonstrated by him. Repeated congratulations to all. New challenges await us ”, concluded Peláez on his social networks.
FULL MESSAGE FROM JOSÉ MANUEL PELÁEZ, PUBLISHED ON ITS SOCIAL NETWORKS:
Organizing any type of competition is always difficult and more in these times of pandemic. However, the experiences of the recent Junior Pan American Games in Cali-Valle confirm the success of Panam Sports in the idea of bringing together the best talents of the continent, as well as the ability of the Colombian authorities to have everything ready in less than two years and make a happy, necessary and essential multiple appointment.
In the case of cycling, my sincere congratulations to Colombia, winner of the largest number of titles among the four modalities called, especially on the track and route. Their footprints in the cycling of America have been historically great and this time they did not want to do less.
Also my warmest congratulations to Mexico, Chile and Costa Rica, with gold in these Games, as well as to the rest of the delegations that reached podiums. The particularity of this event did not lie precisely in having been able or not to get on the podium, but in the fellowship and the joy experienced at the Alcides Nieto Patiño velodrome, on the roads of Buga, or on the Moutain Bike and BMX tracks, which They met all the requirements of the International Cycling Union.
In addition, all health protocols were met and we appreciate that cyclists, coaches, mechanics, federation and journalists who covered the Games were convinced that they were part of a historic fight, for opening an essential path in the youth category in America. This is how Panam Sports conceived it and this is how we support it from the Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI).
We already ratify our support for the next edition in 2025, in a venue yet to be defined, since nothing is more important for sport than friendship and living incredible experiences. This edition in Cali-Valle 2021 proved it. Repeated congratulations to all. New challenges await us.