Valledupar, July 11, 2025. The emblematic Plaza Alfonso Lopez, in the capital of Cesar, was the stage for the official launch of the Parasuramerican Games Valledupar 2026, a multi-sport competition that had one of its most important ceremonies, with a ceremony in which more than two thousand people enjoyed an emotional cultural and colorful party, prepared by the organization of the fairs.
Valledupar, July 11, 2025.
With the participation of the highest authorities of Paralympic sport in the continent, headed by the president of the Americas Paralympic Committee (AmPC), Julio César Ávila Sarriá; the Minister of Sport, Patricia Duque Cruz; the president of the Colombian Paralympic Committee, José Aldiver García (CPC); and the mayors of Valledupar, Ernesto Orozco Durán, and of Agustín Codazzi, Hernán Baquero Rodríguez, the official launching combined the genuine expression of the vallenato folklore with the revelation of significant details of the qualifying event and that inaugurates the Cycle to Los Angeles 2028.
The director of the Valledupar 2026 Parasuramerican Games, Elmer Jimenez Silva, was satisfied after the official launch and thanked the institutional and citizen support that made this milestone possible. “This is just the starting point. We show the world that we are ready to organize a Games with inclusion, sensitivity and excellence. We want every Paralympic athlete to feel part of this territory, because they deserve the same opportunities and motives in life as everyone else.”
Referring to the launch of the Games in Valledupar, the Minister of Sport of Colombia, Patricia Duque, ratified the institutional commitment of the executive to make possible the competition that will take place from July 5 to 16, 2026 in 13 sports.
At the launch of the Games in Valledupar, the Minister of Sport of Colombia, Patricia Duque, ratified the institutional commitment of the executive to make possible the competition that will take place from July 5 to 16, 2026 in 13 sports.
“Being in the Plaza Alfonso Lopez is to feel the vallenato folklore to the surface. It also allows us to palpitate with another icon of the country: our beloved sport, thanks to the launch of the II Parasuramerican Games Valledupar 2026, a commitment of the country that we assume with the determination of always, “said the minister.
In turn, the president of the CPC valued the importance of having the Games in a city like the capital of Cesar, highlighting the values that sport generates in society. “Today Valledupar shows us a city of resilience, tenacity, perseverance, and today our biggest applause is for all people with disabilities. Sport is the main vehicle for inclusion in society. That is why it is very important to promote these spaces, because through courage and tenacity, that is why these fairs, the second Parasuramerican Games, show us that we are on the right track,” said the president of the Garcia.
Sports for the Disabled.
Among the surprises, the organization presented the official character, the official song of the Games, in addition to the image with the slogan of the competition: “The legend does not stop”, which from now on will be the main slogan of the Parasuramerican Games.
The legend does not stop”, which from now on will be the main slogan of the Parasuramerican Games.
As for the character, the public was informed of the choice of ‘Tobalito’, a cañaguate tree, created by Carlos Arzuaga Bacca, a student of Graphic Design at the University of the Andean Area of Valledupar, who created the character that symbolizes strength, inclusion and flourishing in the midst of adversity. Inspired by a species that blooms when all is dry, it represents the Paralympic athletes who ‘shine when others believe all is lost.’
Along with the character, the Valledupar 2026 organization also released ‘Alma en el Juego’, the official song that fuses urban rhythms with Caribbean melodies, including the sound of the accordion. The infectious rhythm and lyrics reflect the values that inspire the event. The official song, composed by artist Jorge Eliecer Demarchi Noreña, will be the musical piece that will take the party to every stage and corner of Valledupar and Agustín Codazzi, cities where, from July 5 to 16, 2026, the Parasur American Games will take place.
Also, at the official launch, recognition was given to Paralympic athletes who have left the name of Colombia high in major events, being exalted para athletes Carlos Daniel Serrano, multiple world and Paralympic champion in swimming; Maria Monica Daza, Parapan American champion in archery; and the vallenato Buinder Bermudez, the only Paralympic medal winner cesarense, to achieve the bronze medal in the para athletics in Paris 2024.
.
For his part, the mayor of Valledupar, Ernesto Orozco, extended an invitation to continue building this collective dream and to turn Valledupar into the great host of the continent, “Inclusion and hope vibrate with the joy of the Parasuramerican Games, a resilience of champions in a land of legends. In Valledupar everyone is welcome.”
.
The night closed with the musical presentation of King 2025 of the Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata, maestro Iván Zuleta, one of the greatest exponents of accordion playing in the vallenato genre, to whom the organization donated this musical instrument, joining the social initiative led by the artist to bring folklore to children and young people in vulnerable situations in the host city of the Parasuramerican Games Valledupar 2026, the multi-sport competition in which: The legend doesn’t stop.
Press coordination of the organization of the Parasuramerican Games Valledupar 2026.
