El Salvador is approaching the Ayacucho–Lima 2025 Bolivarian Games with a defined roadmap towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, guided by the leadership of Armando Bruni, president of the Comité Olímpico de El Salvador –COES–, who is present at this edition.
Bruni assumed the presidency of the COES in October 2021 and was re-elected in January 2025. Months after renewing his mandate, he spoke with SportsIn to outline the institutional strategy launched to “increase the participation of Salvadoran athletes in the Olympic Games and achieve better results.” He noted that “budget strengthening to support elite athletes” is one of the main pillars of this plan, which aims to boost international exposure and ensure solid preparation ahead of Olympic-cycle events such as Ayacucho–Lima 2025.
Clear objectives: broader participation and improved performance
Bruni explained that the COES “has begun a planning process as a strategic plan together with the national sports federations.” He stated that the priority goal is “to increase the participation of Salvadoran athletes in the Olympic Games and achieve better results.” He added that one of the key elements is “budget strengthening to support the elite athlete of El Salvador,” enabling greater international participation and better preparation ahead of Olympic-cycle competitions such as Ayacucho–Lima 2025.
Regarding the significance of taking part in a Games that bring together multiple nations, Bruni stressed that “El Salvador is no longer a guest country at the Bolivarian Games; it is a member country of the Organización Bolivariana.” He highlighted the importance of competing alongside South American, Central American and Caribbean nations, noting that the event allows the country to “start the Olympic cycle on the right foot, showing our best athletes and having a real planning structure for the rest of the cycle towards Los Angeles 2028.”
Structure, federations and upcoming challenges
Collaboration between sports federations and the COES is emerging as a key element to consolidate a structure that ensures continuous preparation, international participation and technical follow-up. Bruni underlined that this approach aims to generate a sustained impact on the projection of national athletes and on the organisation of Salvadoran sport throughout the Olympic cycle.
The COES strategy integrates strengthened budgeting, participation in international events and a preparation model adapted to high-performance standards. According to Bruni, the objective is “to achieve better results and better numbers in Los Angeles 2028,” a target that frames the work El Salvador begins in Ayacucho–Lima 2025.
