Americas Paralympic Leaders Visited Cuba for Development
Officials discussed plans for the 2027 Parapan American Games and a new regional sports event in 2030.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Olympics
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Americas Paralympic Committee Executive Director Michele Formonte and International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons visited Cuba to promote the growth of the Paralympic movement. The visit focused on integrating education and sports policies while outlining preparations for upcoming international competitions.
Why it matters
The committee aims to utilize Cuban public policies as a model for regional athletic integration and increase the visibility of Paralympic sports. These development efforts are critical to building sustainable infrastructure for future athletes across the Americas.
The upcoming 2030 Para Central American Games are expected to feature between 6 and 8 distinct sports disciplines. Organizers for the 2027 Parapan American Games in Lima are currently evaluating the construction of a dedicated training center.
The players
Michele Formonte
He serves as the Executive Director of the Americas Paralympic Committee.
Andrew Parsons
He is the President of the International Paralympic Committee.
Óscar Fernández
He is the president of the Peruvian Institute of Sport.
The details
Coordination efforts for the Lima 2027 Parapan American Games include bimonthly check-ins with officials, such as Peruvian Institute of Sport president Óscar Fernández. The committee also plans to establish a formal coordination commission to oversee the progress of the 2027 event.
Timeline
Michele Formonte and Andrew Parsons visited Cuba in September 2026.
A coordination commission for the Lima 2027 Games will be established in December 2026.
The Lima Parapan American Games are scheduled for 2027.
The Para Central American Games are slated to occur in 2030.
Season Trajectory
This visit establishes the foundational planning phase for the next four years of continental Paralympic competition. It shifts the focus toward long-term regional development, ensuring that host cities like Lima receive necessary support ahead of the 2027 games.
The creation of a training center in Lima will likely increase facility access for local and international athletes before the 2027 games. Inclusion of 6 to 8 sports in the 2030 Para Central American Games defines the initial competitive scope for those events.
The takeaway
Developing standardized public policies for sports integration can create more consistent athletic opportunities across different nations. Future hosts should focus on early infrastructure investment to ensure both the 2027 and 2030 games meet international Paralympic standards.
What happens next
A formal coordination commission for the Lima 2027 Parapan American Games is scheduled to be established in December 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in international competition on our Olympics page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Trabajadores.
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