Pan American Games: Top 5 things to know about Lima 2019

Organizers of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games (COPAL) will welcome delegates from the 41 nations of Panam Sports for the Chef de Mission Seminar at the end of January.

More than 70 representatives from the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of the Americas will meet from January 21-24 at the Swissotel in Lima to ensure their countries and their athletes are prepared for the Pan American Games that begin on July 26.

The four-day seminar will include extensive discussions about the policies and procedures surrounding the Games, including arrivals and departures, transportation, hospitality, tickets sale, ceremonies, and many other crucial logistical aspects.

Venue tours will also be included in the Seminar, with visits to the nearly completed Athlete Village, which will host several sports including Field Hockey, Baseball, and Water Polo; the VIDENA complex featuring Athletics, Cycling, and multi-sport courts; as well as a tour of the coast where the Road Cycling and Volleyball competitions will take place. A trip to the National Stadium will also be available to all attendees.

Many of the delegates will be the Chef de Missions that will lead their countries' delegations during the Lima 2019 Pan Am Games, while a few Chef de Missions will not be named until closer to the Games. Other NOC representatives and Games experts will be present for these countries.

Those interested in becoming a volunteer for the Lima 2019 Pan American Games now have more time to complete their applications.

With interest and demand in becoming a volunteer increasing, the application deadline has been extended until February 22.

Nearly 70,000 people have started the registration process since it opened on September 11, 2018, of which about 40,000 have already finished applying.

Meanwhile, more than 7,000 people have already been trained in Lima and the surrounding areas thanks to Lima 2019 Volunteer Program and support from the United Nations. The goal is to train 30,000 by the end of February.

Outstanding progress continues to be made on all of Lima 2019's venues and venue clusters. As the New Year begins, the Athlete Village has seven completed towers and the expansions to Villa Maria del Triunfo and the Videna are progressing smoothly.

With less than 200 days remaining until the Pan Am Games begin, 35% of the athletes who will compete at Lima 2019 have already qualified for the Games. But much work remains.

Six months and countless qualifying events remain in 2019 as athletes make their final efforts to be able to represent their country at the continent's top sporting event this July.

The number of athletes competing at Lima 2019 for each country in each sport will be known by the end of April. Final team selections will be made over the next two months before the final Entry By Name deadline on June 26, exactly one month before the Opening Ceremony of the Games.

Media members who are interested in covering the Lima 2019 Pan American Games will be able to register for accreditations to the Games beginning on January 26. The accreditation system will close on May 10.