The best athlete in the history of Cuba, Mijain Lopez is a four-time Olympic Champion and five-time World Champion in wrestling who will represent his country and all of the Americas at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago as a member of the new Team Panam Sports.
Lopez is joined by Marileidy Paulino (DOM), Anderson Peters (GRN), Daniel Dhers (VEN), Alejandra Orozco (MEX), Agustina Albertario (ARG), Rebeca Andrade (BRA), Maggie Mac Neil (CAN), Angelo Caro (PER) and the duo of Marco and Esteban Grimalt (CHI) as the newest athlete ambassadors of Panam Sports.
SANTIAGO, CHILE (July 6, 2023) — Panam Sports is proud to announce the 11 new members of Team Panam Sports that will inspire millions this October at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.
These exceptional athletes are champions and medalists at the biggest sports events in the world, from the Olympic and Pan American Games to World Championships. They are world-renowned for their determination, skill and incredible performances.
The 2023 edition of Team Panam Sports is led by Mijain Lopez (Wrestling – Cuba), Rebeca Andrade (Artistic Gymnastics – Brazil), Marileidy Paulino (Athletics – Dominican Republic), Anderson Peters (Athletics – Grenada), Daniel Dhers (BMX Freestyle – Venezuela), Alejandra Orozco (Diving – Mexico), Agustina Albertario (Field Hockey – Argentina), Maggie Mac Neil (Swimming – Canada), Angelo Caro (Skateboarding – Peru) and the duo of Marco and Esteban Grimalt (Beach Volleyball – Chile).
Mijain Lopez, now 40 years old, is the most decorated athlete in the history of Cuba and is recognized as the best wrestler in history. He holds the spectacular record of four consecutive Olympic gold medals, 5 world championship titles and 5 golds at the Pan American Games in his unprecedented sports career.
After his last Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, Mijain decided to take some time to see if he would definitively retire from high performance sport. However, a few months ago he confirmed that he will continue defending the Cuban flag at least until the Paris 2024 Olympics. Now the door is open for Mijain to continue re-writing the record books as he aims for his sixth consecutive gold at the Pan American Games at Santiago 2023 and fifth consecutive Olympic title at Paris 2024.
“Being an ambassador for Team Panam Sports is a huge deal and something that’s very important to me. Any athlete from the Americas would be proud to belong to this Team, so I am very happy that they have given me that opportunity as an athlete from Cuba. My expectations for Santiago 2023 are to continue fighting for my sixth medal at the Pan American Games. It is my great goal and what my coaching staff and I are extremely focused on,” Mijain Lopez tells Panam Sports.
These 11 superstars who have combined for 15 Olympic, 41 world championship and 14 Pan American Games medals will compete at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games not only for their countries but for all of the Americas as ambassadors of Team Panam Sports. They will show millions that sport lives in all of us as they strive to achieve greatness and demonstrate that anyone can become a champion.
Cuba cannot wait to watch Mijain Lopez, the members Team Panam Sports and many more of the world’s best athletes compete in the Chilean capital this October at Santiago 2023.
Don’t miss the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games from October 20 to November 5. Watch the Games live on Panam Sports Channel or your local broadcaster.
Team Panam Sports invites all of the Americas to free your inner athlete, because Sport Lives in You.
