The Pan American Flame is Lit and the

ASU 2025 Torch Relay Begins

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, July 6, 2025 – In the presence of the President of the Republic of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, Panam Sports President Neven Ilic, Paraguayan Olympic Committee President Camilo Pérez, and other distinguished officials, the traditional lighting ceremony of the Pan American Flame and the start of the Torch Relay for the ASU 2025 Junior Pan American Games took place.

Starting today, the Pan American Flame will travel through Paraguay’s main cities, culminating its journey on August 9 at the ASU 2025 Opening Ceremony.

The beautiful, historic, and touristic Jesuit Mission of Jesús de Tavarangue in Paraguay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provided the perfect setting for the significant and traditional ceremony that marks the beginning of the II ASU 2025 Junior Pan American Games.

Set against the natural backdrop of the Jesuit Ruins, the event brought together the highest-ranking government and sports authorities from Paraguay and Panam Sports. After the flag procession and national anthems, the attending officials delivered speeches emphasizing the importance of the ceremony and the significance of hosting the most impactful sporting event in Paraguay’s 214-year history.

“This is a very traditional ceremony in our organization. For the senior Pan American Games, the flame is always lit in Teotihuacan, Mexico. For the first Junior Pan American Games, the lighting took place at Cerro Cristo Rey in Cali. Today, we are in a magical place, full of history and of great importance to Paraguay. Here, the new flame is born and will travel to various corners of this beautiful country until it reaches the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony. We are happy and excited, the most important youth sporting celebration in the continent is almost here,” said Panam Sports President Neven Ilic.

“From here, a journey begins, not just a ceremonial journey, but a true, tangible process of national transformation. ASU 2025 is not an isolated project; it’s part of a broader effort involving infrastructure investment, tourism promotion, job creation, talent development, and, of course, Paraguay’s international projection,” said Paraguayan President Santiago Peña.

After the speeches, Guaraní indigenous representatives entered the scene. To the rhythm of music and ancestral dances, they lit the new flame and the Pan American torch, officially starting the traditional relay.

The first to carry the Pan American Flame was Panam Sports President Neven Ilic, followed by Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, Minister of Sports César Ramírez, Paraguayan Olympic Committee President Camilo Pérez, a Guaraní representative, and six athletes, officially launching the ASU 2025 Torch Relay.

For 33 days, the ASU 2025 torch will travel through Paraguay’s main cities until it reaches the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción on August 9 for the Opening Ceremony.

The ASU 2025 Junior Pan American Games will be held from August 9 to 23 and will feature over 4,000 athletes from 41 countries across the continent.