2024 Bolivarian Games Open in Peru; Colombia Tops Medal Count

The Bolivarian Games 2024 held in the town of Ayacucho, Peru, have begun.

The games are part of the bicentennial of Peruvian independence in honor of the pivotal Battle of Ayacucho. The event brings together countries that were liberated by Simon Bolivar belonging to the Bolivarian Sports Organization (ODEBO), as well as other invited nations.

A total of 13 countries will gather in Ayacucho: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela, as members of ODEBO, as well as El Salvador, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic, the guest countries. The official program includes 22 sports in 33 sports disciplines. The competition runs from November 27 to December 8.

Colombia leads the medal standings on the first day of the Bolivarian Games 2024

1,321 athletes from across Latin America are present. The last edition of the Bolivarian Games was that of 2022 in Valledupar, Colombia, where Colombia led the overall medal count with 354 medals (171 gold, 104 silver and 79 bronze); second place went to Venezuela, which won 209 medals, while Ecuador took third place with 147 medals.

On the first day of the competition, Colombia regained the lead and in its first day already has eight medals (six gold and two silver), followed by Venezuela with seven medals (one gold, four silver and two bronze).

Colombia achieved significant victories in rugby and billiards. Wednesday, November 27, the Colombian rugby7 team achieved its first victories and remained undefeated after the four matches played on the first day.

During the morning, the men’s team acquired a resounding victory by defeating Guatemala with a 71 – 0 in the group phase, under the direction of coach José Manuel Diosa, who gave his statements after this result: “The boys started off on the right foot, putting into practice many of the things we worked on during preparation and training. Now the field begins to speak, and we hope it always brings positive results.”

Colombian women’s rugby has no worthy rivals

The path to victory continued in the afternoon with the second match of the day facing Peru, ending in a final score of 19-10.

These victories were repeated by the women’s team, with a substantial score of 29-0 in their match against the Dominican Republic. The fourth and last match of the day was against the Ecuadorian women’s team. Colombia scored a 57-0.

Lissete Martinez, coach of the Colombians, said that “it is important to start the tournament with a victory, it is the team’s first game, there are many things to adjust, but we are happy to have started off on the right foot.”

The Bolivarian Games, a sporting event between sister countries

The Bolivarian Games are a multi-sport event that celebrates unity and the legacy of the liberator Simon Bolivar. Its first rendition was held in 1938 in Bogota, Colombia, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city.

This event was promoted by the Bolivarian Sports Organization (ODEBO), with the aim of fostering brotherhood and sports development among the countries liberated by Bolivar.

At its inauguration, 699 athletes participated in seven disciplines, marking the beginning of a tradition that is still alive today. Over the decades, the Games have grown in size and relevance, incorporating more guest countries and disciplines.

Today, they are held every four years, alternating venues among the member nations. The Bolivarian Games are a symbol of cooperation and sporting excellence in Latin America.