The Ayacucho Lima 2025 Bolivarian Games began this weekend and once again brought together delegations from the Bolivarian countries in Peru, in a multisport event promoted by the Bolivarian Sports Organization since 1938. To understand both the institutional and sporting perspectives of this new edition, SportsIn spoke exclusively with Baltazar Medina, president of ODEBO, and Ciro Solano, president of the Colombian Olympic Committee, who shared their views on this historic moment.
In his interview with SportsIn, Medina explained that the essence of the Games remains true to their origins. “The philosophy of ODEBO since its creation is precisely to make sport a means of integration and brotherhood among the Bolivarian countries.” He recalled that this mission has guided every edition since 1938 and continues to be present in this 2025 edition in Peru. He added that what they observe at the event is “how our athletes honour that Bolivarian brotherhood, competing under the principles of fair play and the values of Olympism, friendship, respect, and excellence.”
The opening ceremony at the Real Felipe Fortress
The opening ceremony took place at the historic Real Felipe Fortress in Callao, a site regarded as a symbol of American independence. The fortress hosted the official opening of the 20th Bolivarian Games Ayacucho Lima 2025, an event that marks the beginning of the Olympic cycle in the region and brings together more than 4,500 athletes from 17 countries.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Education, Jorge Figueroa; the Minister of Development and Social Inclusion, Lesly Shica; the president of the Organising Committee, Sergio Ludeña; the president of ODEBO, Baltazar Medina; and the president of the Peruvian Olympic Committee, Renzo Manyari. The choice of this 18th-century site, considered the last royalist stronghold in South America, highlights the intention to link Peru’s cultural heritage with the sporting spirit of the Games.
The competitions take place across several high-performance venues of the Peruvian Sports Institute, including Videna, the Andrés Avelino Cáceres Sports Complex in Villa María del Triunfo, the Lucha Fuentes Sports Centre in Villa El Salvador, the Punta Rocas High Performance Centre, the Dibós Coliseum, and the Costa Verde Sports Complex.
Colombia’s sporting progression
In his conversation with SportsIn, Solano analysed Colombia’s sporting moment and its preparation for upcoming cycles. He emphasised that the country has shown sustained growth: “Colombia has been improving athletically and is perhaps the country that has climbed the most.” He explained that in the last 16 years at the Pan American Games, the Colombian delegation has increased its medal count, allowing them to set new goals. “We hope to reach fourth place: United States, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico, and the idea is to surpass Mexico at the next Pan American Games.”
Solano also referred to the Olympic horizon. He recalled that Colombia’s best result came at London 2012, with nine medals, and set the next target for Los Angeles 2028. “In Los Angeles we hope to win 10 medals. I can’t tell you what colour they will be, but what matters is that our athletes are preparing well to represent Colombia with pride.”
