|
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. | |