Mexican Flag Raised in Athletes’ Village Ahead of Parapans

The flag of Mexico, the host nation of the 2011 Parapan American Games, which get underway this weekend in Guadalajara was today (7 November) raised at a Ceremony in the Athletes’ Village.

Over the coming days around 1,500 athletes from 23 countries will be arriving in Mexico for the Games which will feature 13 different sports and be one of the last major international events prior to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The Mexican team features 212 athletes and many were in attendance at Monday’s Ceremony to hear speeches from Imelda Guzman de Leon, President of the Organizing Committee for the Parapan American Games and Nick Van Der Kaaij, Mayor of the Athlete’s Village.

Also in attendance was International Paralympic Committee Chief Executive Officer, Xavier Gonzalez, and Eduardo Obregón, Chef de Mission of the Mexican Team.

“These Games have been four years in the planning and are extremely important for Mexico and for the people,” said Obregón. “I think the home support will be very important for us. We have some athletes who won medals in Beijing and will be confident of doing well here.”

Located in 9.7 hectares of land in the municipality of Zapopan in the western part of Guadalajara, the Parapan American Village is close to the iconic Omnilife Stadium, home of Chivas Football Club.

The 2011 Parapan American Games will take place between 12-20 November and Sunday’s Opening Ceremony will be staged at the Telmex, Athletics Stadium, the venue of the track and field events.