(ATR) The inauguration ceremony of the Pan American Weightlifting Federation Hall of Famewill be held virtually on Saturday, August 22.
The "online" Gala will share the broadcast with the headquarters of the Cuban Olympic Committee in Havana.
Eleven of the 20 members of the first Hall of Fame class are Cubans including six weightlifters, three coaches, a manager and an official.
Three personalities from Colombia, two from Mexico, and one each from Canada, Argentina, Venezuela and Brazil, complete the recognition of those who have contributed to the growth of weightlifting in the Americas throughout its centuries-old history.
The 2020 Hall of Fame is the most recent of the initiatives put into practice by the Pan American Weightlifting Federation in an unprecedented and dramatic season marked by the serious consequences of a global pandemic.
"We have decided to fight against despair," the president of the PAWF, José Quiñones, told Around the Rings.
Quiñones is one of the vice presidents of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and president of the South American Confederation. He was a key player in securing Lima as the host for the 2019 Pan American Games in October 2013, when he served as head of the Peruvian Olympic Committee.
Days afterQuiñoneswas chosen president of the PAWF during the electoral assembly in Santo Domingo, the first ravages of the coronavirus appeared in the Americas. No one imagined at the beginning of the year that the vast majority of events in the world, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, would be cancelled or postponed.
A program of online competitions and courses were organized for athletes, coaches, and other personnel related to weightlifting in the continent, with the important support of the IWF.
"The Hall of Fame is a tribute to the people who have contributed over the years to make weightlifting in the Americas a worldwide benchmark," says Quiñones.
The new members were nominated by their national federations, evaluated by the PAWF Hall of Fame Commission, and then presented to its Executive Board. After careful review, the Executive Board unanimously approved the recommendation.
Quiñones acknowledges that he has been "pleasantly impressed" with the enthusiasm among the national federations for this project. He confirms that inductions to the Hall of Fame will be held annually, and hopes for the next version to include nominees from countries not represented this time around.
"And of course, we are open to all suggestions," said Quiñones.
Hall of Fame 2020:
Directors: Marcelino del Frade, CUBA, Rosalio Alvarado, MEXICO, José Herrera, VENEZUELA.
International Technical Officials: David Montero, BRAZIL, Carlos Cuervo - CUBA.
Athletes: Humberto Selvetti - ARGENTINA, Christine Girard - CANADA, Mabel Mosquera - COLOMBIA, Juan Romero - COLOMBIA, Diego Salazar - COLOMBIA ,, Sergio Álvarez - CUBA, Pedro Luis Rodriguez, CUBA, Pastor Rodriguez, CUBA, Mario R. Villalobos, CUBA , Julio Echenique, CUBA, Fernando Bernal, CUBA, Soraya Jiménez MEXICO.
Coaches: Ramón Madrigal CUBA, Manuel Suárez, CUBA, Rolando Leiva, CUBA
Written and reported by Miguel Hernandez
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