Lima 2019: Meet Milco the mascot

"This mascot will mark a milestone in Peruvian sports history and will be seen worldwide. With its outstretched arms, Milco is welcoming everyone."

Milco has been announced as the official mascot for the Lima 2019 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games at a ceremony held at the in the Peruvian capital city. A record-number of 44,514 people participated in the popular vote, overtaking Guadalajara 2011 (15,000) and Toronto 2015 (33,000).

The winning-design, made by Andrea Medrano, is based on a ‘cuchimilco,’ a ceramic sculpture made by the Chancay culture, a pre-Columbian civilization from the region. Milco received 19,895 votes, followed by Wayqi, the gecko, (17,274) and Amantis, which was inspired by the Flower of Amancaes (7,345).

Medrano was awarded PEN 15,000, while the second and third-placed designers received PEN 10,000 and 5,000, respectively. “I made this design because I like what the cuchimilcos represent in the history of our country. With its outstretched arms, Milco is welcoming everyone,” said Medrano.

“Lima has a cultural past that makes us proud and that is what I wanted to highlight.”

Lima 2019 President Carlos Neuhaus added: “This mascot will mark a milestone in Peruvian sports history and will be seen worldwide.

“It will be the image which represents us in every competition of the Pan American and Parapan American Games, as well as in the events prior to the opening of the most important sporting event Peru has ever hosted.

“We are happy with the results because all contestants participated in a democratic and transparent manner.”

Peruvian Second Vice-President Mercedes Araoz, National Olympic Committee President Pedro del Rosario and Paralympic Association of Peru President Luisa Villar were also in attendance.

Over 1,000 people presented their designs for the mascot competition before a judging panel narrowed it to three. The voting process began on 19 June, with people from Peru and 43 other countries casting their votes via Lima 2019’s official website.

The Lima 2019 Parapan American Games will take place from 23 August-1 September, with a record 1,850 athletes competing in 17 sports, two more than at Toronto 2015.

Full story (in Spanish) can be found on Lima 2019’s website.