As part of the XX Bolivarian Games Ayacucho–Lima 2025, the Bolivarian Sports Organization (ODEBO) held the Bolivarian Tree Planting Ceremony in the Sustainability area of VIDENA, an event that brought together participating delegations, sports authorities, volunteers, and institutional representatives. The initiative not only highlighted the importance of the environmental commitment of the Games but also became a symbol of unity and legacy among the Bolivarian countries.
During the ceremony, each delegation, represented by its chef de mission and athletes, had the opportunity to plant a tree on behalf of its country, strengthening the connection between sport and sustainability. The event was attended by prominent ODEBO representatives, such as president Baltazar Medina, vice president María José Soto, board member Marco Arce, and chancellor Elida Párraga, who emphasized the importance of maintaining this tradition as part of the Games’ protocol and international environmental commitment.
Tradition and symbolism in every planting
The simultaneous planting of trees involved delegations from Barbados, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela, consolidating a gesture of unity and respect for the environment. Each tree planted represents a country and its commitment to sustainability, while the participation of Renzo Manyari, president of the Peruvian Olympic Committee, in planting the host nation’s tree, accompanied by the “Green Guides” volunteers, highlighted the integration of the local community in the event.
The act was also accompanied by recognition of previous environmental initiatives leading up to the Games. In Ayacucho, the Campanayoc Farming Community planted 3,000 trees in collaboration with the Municipality of Huamanga and the Peruvian Sports Institute. Additionally, the purchase of carbon credits from the REDD+ Castañeros de Bosques Amazónicos (BAM) project contributed to the protection of more than 600,000 hectares of forests in Madre de Dios, benefiting over 800 local families—a tangible reflection of the sustainable legacy the Bolivarian Games aim to leave.
Recognition and institutional collaboration
The ceremony was also an opportunity to thank the institutions and organizations that made the event possible. Among them were the Peruvian Olympic Committee, the Peruvian Sports Institute, the Ministry of the Environment, the Environmental Assessment and Enforcement Agency, SERPAR, and various social and environmental organizations. Coordination between these entities and the volunteers was key to ensuring that the day went beyond a symbolic act, becoming an example of collaboration and shared commitment.
The event concluded with an official photo gathering authorities, delegates, and volunteers, capturing a moment that brings together sport, the environment, and camaraderie among the participating nations. Each tree planted, more than a symbolic gesture, became a living testament to the unity of the Bolivarian community and the importance of protecting natural resources as part of a lasting legacy.
