The 2012 Bolivarian Beach Games came to a close in Lima on Sunday afternoon, after 11 days of competitions that saw Peru take the top spot on the overall medal count.
Approximately 1,500 athletes, from 11 nations, attended the games, and participated in 15 sports.
The games, which were the first beach games by the Bolivarian organizing committee, included free diving, underwater fishing, beach handball, water ski, canoeing, beach soccer, open water swimming, rowing, beach rugby, beach tennis, triathlon, sailing, beach volleyball, and surfing, website Peruthisweek.com reported.
All members of the Bolivarian Games Organization, made up by Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, participated in the games. El Salvador, Paraguay, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, were also invited to attend the inaugural beach games.
President Ollanta Humala and First Lady Nadine Heredia attended the closing ceremony on Sunday, shortly after the presidential couple had participated in a 10 kilometer race around the streets of Lima.
“It is important to understand that a healthy society requires sports. We try to encourage and promote sports and their values throughout the country,” Humala said.
Peru won a total of 46 medals (21 gold, 12 silver, and 13 bronze), closely followed by Venezuela with 40 medals (19 gold, 11 silver, 10 bronze), and Chile with 39 medals (11 gold, 16 silver, and 12 bronze).
(END) INT/MOC