2,478 athletes from all over the country will compete for 22 days in 27 disciplines in this ninth edition of the National Games. Neisi Dajomes was part of the opening ceremony.
More than 800 people, including athletes, leaders and parents, attended the inauguration ceremony of the National Youth Games, on Saturday October 30 at the Luis Leoro Franco Coliseum, in Ibarra.
Among the attendees was the Olympic champion Neisi Dajomes, who gave a speech for the young athletes and then he handed the torch to Kelin Jiménez, the imbaburan weightlifter in charge of lighting the flame of the cauldron.
“Never stop dreaming, dream big and work hard to achieve your dreams, ”said the gold medalist.
For his part, the Minister of Sports, Sebastián Palacios, stated that the National Games They represent the reactivation of the national sport. “We believe in the ability and talent of our athletes. This is the showcase for a new category of the High Performance Plan ”.
Athletes will compete in the following disciplines: chess, athletics, basketball, boxing, cycling, climbing, soccer, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, judo, karate, weightlifting, wrestling, swimming (pool and open water), skating, taekwondo, field and table tennis, shooting with bow, triathlon and volleyball.
The triathlon gave the first medals
The women’s triathlon was the first discipline contested this Sunday, October 31 at Lake San Pablo. 29 athletes from six provinces competed in this event.
After a 400-meter open water course, 20 kilometers of cycling and five kilometers of running, Paula Vega from Azuaya won the gold medal. Joselin Yuqui, also from Azuay, was second and Marcela Peñafiel, from Pichincha, finished third.
