PERU: OLYMPICS: Peruvian President Ollanta Humala wishes Peru's 17 Olympic athletes luck as they travel to London for the 2012 olympics

Record ID: 330882

  • Title: PERU: OLYMPICS: Peruvian President Ollanta Humala wishes Peru's 17 Olympic athletes luck as they travel to London for the 2012 olympics
  • Date: 16th July 2012
  • Summary: LIMA, PERU (JULY 16, 2012) (REUTERS) PERU'S 17 OLYMPIC ATHLETES AT CEREMONY AT THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE PERUVIAN PRESIDENT OLLANTA HUMALA AND FIRST LADY NADINE HEREDIA ARRIVING TO CEREMONY PEOPLE APPLAUDING HUMALA PASSING THE PERUVIAN FLAG TO PERUVIAN OLYMPIC MARATHON RUNNER, GLADYS TEJEDA ATHLETES APPLAUDING TEJEDA HOLDING THE FLAG JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PERUVIAN PRESIDENT OLLANTA HUMALA, SAYING: "Country's like Peru haven't invested in intensive training. The high performance of our athletes, a lot of our athletes are making their way with all the difficulties an athlete in Peru faces, which means they have to work and do their sport, and this hurts me as a Peruvian." OLYMPIC TAEKWONDO COMPETITOR, PETER LOPEZ, WHO WILL PARTICIPATE IN HIS SECOND OLYMPICS SHOUTING, 'LET'S GO PERU' OLYMPIC TAEKWONDO COMPETITOR, PETER LOPEZ, GREETED BY STUDENTS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OLYMPIC TAEKWONDO COMPETITOR, PETER LOPEZ, SAYING: "This year has been really tough as far as training. A lot of sacrifice and a lot of hours, combats, and studying all the competition. And the best in the world will be at the Olympic Games and you can't underestimate anyone." TEJEDA WITH OTHER RUNNERS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PERUVIAN OLYMPIC MARATHON RUNNER, GLADYS TEJEDA, SAYING: "I am proud and honoured to be able to have the flag that will travel with me in my hands and to carry my red and white flag there at the Olympic Games." HUMALA AND HEREDIA WAIVING TO CAMERAS WITH OLYMPIC TEAM
  • Embargoed: 31st July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Peru
  • Country: Peru
  • Topics: Politics,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA8AMLO3GBFYNA0S6NTJEPT4A4X
  • Story Text: Peruvian President Ollanta Humala wished Peru's 17 Olympic athletes luck Monday (July 16) during a special ceremony at the presidential palace as they prepared to head to London for the 2012 Olympic Games.
    The President asked the delegation to bring home medals as they compete in athletics, swimming, taekwondo, judo, rowing, weightlifting, sailing and shooting.
    Humala, accompanied by First Lady Nadine Heredia, officially handed the Peruvian flag over to marathon runner Gladys Tejeda who will be the squad's flag bearer at the opening ceremony for the London Olympics on July 27.
    The other athletes and the Olympic delegation applauded their teammate, the first Peruvian to qualify for the London Games, as she held the red and white flag.
    Humala used the opportunity to unveil plans to invest more in the country's athletes and increase Olympic participation for the South American country recognizing the difficulty facing Peruvian athletes who usually have to hold down jobs and train in their free time.
    "Country's like Peru haven't invested in intensive training. The high performance of our athletes, a lot of our athletes are making their way with all the difficulties an athlete in Peru faces, which means they have to work and do their sport, and this hurts me as a Peruvian," Humala said.
    Peruvian martial artists who will compete in his second Olympics in taekwondo, Peter Lopez, said a lot of sweat and blood has gone into his preparations.
    "This year has been really tough as far as training. A lot of sacrifice and a lot of hours, combats, and studying all the competition. And the best in the world will be at the Olympic Games and you can't underestimate anyone," Lopez said.
    Tejeda, who will compete in her first Olympics, said she was honoured to be chosen as the country's flag bearer.
    "I am proud and honoured to be able to have the flag that will travel with me in my hands and to carry my red and white flag there at the Olympic Games," Tejeda said.
    The Games kick off in London from July 27 to August 2012.
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