Thus began the journey of this sacred flame from the south to the north of the country, on its way to the II Junior Pan American Games ASU2025, uniting communities, generations, and cultures under a shared message of unity, identity, and hope.
ENCARNACIÓN TOOK THE FIRST STEP
The day began at the esplanade of the Itapúa Governor’s Office, where the torch was symbolically handed over to the first bearer. From there, the flame traveled through various parts of the city, accompanied by students, athletes, teachers, and residents who took to the streets with flags, smiles, and great enthusiasm.
The route ended with a central ceremony at the historic Plaza de Armas in Encarnación, packed with people and energy. National and local authorities attended to accompany this historic moment, including:
Javier Pereira, Governor of the Department of Itapúa; Luis Yd, Mayor of Encarnación; Aldo Lepretti, Mayor of San Juan del Paraná; Miryan Velázquez, President of the Itapúa Departmental Council; Camilo Pérez López Moreira, President of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and IOC Member; and Larissa Schaerer, Deputy Director General of the ASU2025 Organizing Committee.
All of them enthusiastically supported this celebration, now part of the country’s sporting legacy.
PRESIDENTE HAYES: SECOND STOP OF THE PAN AMERICAN FLAME
After being lit at the majestic Jesuit Mission of the Holy Trinity of Paraná and its emotional passage through Encarnación, the torch arrived at its second official stop, the city of Presidente Hayes.
There, it was received with joy, vibrant colors, and a moving cultural ceremony featuring Paraguayan folk dance and music, reaffirming the flame as an ancestral symbol of unity, memory, and hope.
Present at the ceremony were Bernardo Zárate, Governor of Presidente Hayes; Gloria Maidana, First Lady of the Governor’s Office; Luis López, Mayor of Presidente Hayes; Maribel Ruíz Díaz, President of the Departmental Council. Athletes such as Marcos Velázquez, Katya Alfonso, Diego Cáceres, Jorge González, Kevin Caballero, Kiara Florentín, and Belén Núñez also participated, alongside members of the media and the local community.
A JOURNEY THAT UNITES THE COUNTRY
The torch will continue its journey throughout the national territory, connecting Paraguay from south to north. Its next destination will be the city of San Juan Bautista, in the department of Misiones, this Tuesday, July 8.
It will then visit Boquerón (Filadelfia), Paraguarí, Alto Paraguay (Fuerte Olimpo), Caazapá, Concepción, Guairá (Villarrica), Amambay, Caaguazú (Coronel Oviedo), Canindeyú (Saltos del Guairá), Alto Paraná (Ciudad del Este), San Pedro, Hernandarias (Itaipú), Ñeembucú (Pilar), Central, and Cordillera (Caacupé).
The relay will culminate at the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and the National Sports Secretariat, where the cauldron will be lit during the Games’ opening ceremony.
A PATH OF PARTICIPATION, IDENTITY, AND EMOTION
The torch relay is more than just a symbolic act, it’s an open invitation to all citizens to take part in the most important youth sports event on the continent. This journey represents a space for gathering and collective celebration of our diversity and culture on the road to ASU2025.
