UK's Baroness Fairhead visits key Lima 2019 venue

Lima, Peru; 15 August 2018: The UK’s Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion Baroness Rona Fairhead CBE yesterday visited VIDENA, one of the main venue clusters for the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games and future elite sports hub for the next generation of Peruvian athletes.

Lima 2019 President Carlos Neuhaus led Baroness Fairhead on an inspection of the venue, which is currently undergoing substantial construction, renovation and upgrade works.

"The Minister’s visit shows the strengthening bilateral relations between Peru and the UK since the implementation of the Government-to-Government Agreement [G2G]. This agreement has allowed Peru to commission world-class sporting infrastructure of the highest standard through open and transparent processes ahead of the Lima 2019 Games", said Carlos Neuhaus.

Works at VIDENA include the construction of the Athletics Stadium, Aquatics Centre and a new sports cluster that will feature modern retractable stands for 1,000 spectators. The works also include the roofing of the existing velodrome, a bowling venue with 24 lanes and an underground parking lot.

Baroness Fairhead was joined on the inspection of VIDENA by Director General of the G2G Michael Charlton, UK Ambassador to Peru Kate Harrisson, and the head of Commercial for the UK embassy in Peru, Francine Torbett.

Also present were companies interested in business and cooperation opportunities with Lima 2019 in areas such as catering, logistics, hospitality, security and overlay.

This British delegation has travelled to Peru with just under one year to go until the Games, in order to see first-hand the progress being made by Lima 2019, as well as to share knowledge and experiences from major sporting events held in the UK such as London 2012.

"I’m delighted that so many British companies are interested in doing business here in Peru, bringing the best British experience and innovation with them", said Baroness Fairhead.

In April 2017, the UK signed a Government-to-Government Agreement with Peru in order to provide technical assistance to the Lima 2019 Organising Committee for the successful delivery of the Games. Lima 2019 will be Peru’s largest ever sporting event and one that will leave a meaningful and tangible legacy for the city and country.

To date, through the G2G, Lima 2019 have successfully executed tenders for five key sporting venues and multiple operational areas.

About the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games

The Lima 2019 Pan American Games will see approximately 6,700 athletes from 41 countries compete in 39 sports and 62 disciplines. The Games will take place between 26 July and 11 August 2019.

The Lima 2019 Parapan American Games will see 1,890 athletes compete in 17 sports and 18 disciplines between 23 August and 01 September 2019.

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