“We seek the social inclusion of people with visual disabilities”: Iroman 70.3 Peru and why the triathlon mega event is so important in our country

Sport is inclusion and Lima will host one of the most important triathlon events in the region. And this Sunday, April 21, on the Costa Verde of Chorrillos (it will start and finish at Agua Dulce silver), the Iroman 70.3 will take place. For the fifth time it has been held in our country, the competition will bring together more than 1,200 athletes who will seek 45 places for the Iroman World Championship.

“We are delighted that Chorrillos will once again host the fifth Xmart Healthy Living Ironman 70.3 Lima 2024. We have more than 1,200 athletes from more than 36 countries registered to compete on Sunday the 21st.”said Daniel de Montreuil, organizer of the competition.

What is the competition about? Well, the triathlon begins with the test of swimming 1900 meters in open water. Then follows a 90 kilometer bike race (three laps around the Costa Verde). And finally the athletes will close with a 21 kilometer race.

De Montreuil added.

The test took place this Thursday at the Chorillos Youth House, with the presence of the international triathlon representatives Joanna Jordan and James Farrell, as well as the members of the organizing committee Daniel de Montreuil and Rodrigo Alonso Dibo. In addition to the city’s sports director, Miguel Torres.

It should be noted that half of those registered are of Peruvian nationality, while the rest are from abroad. In addition, the race will have international and national figures who will push themselves to the maximum to get one of the places in the world championship.

“The public is invited to come to the Costa Verde to celebrate this festival. Admission is completely free and you will see fantastic athletes giving their all in each game.”commented Rodrigo Alonso Dibos.

The support of “I am your eyes”

It was at a meeting. It was almost a talk between friends who put their dreams on the table: to create an association in order to organize the help that was already provided to runners with visual disabilities in the practice of running. Thus, in August 2015, Domingo Elías, José Manuel Jurado and Víctor Espinoza decided to create “I am their eyes”, the NGO that will present for the second consecutive year two relay teams and a triathlete for the competition for athletes with visual disabilities.

“Our mission is the social inclusion of people with visual disabilities through the tool of sport, that it is increasingly common to see them in the streets training, competing, that more opportunities open up for them in sport, we started with running, now we are reaching the triathlon and with more and more athletes,” commented Víctor Espinoza.

“I am their eyes” decided to get an organization regarding volunteer guide runners, training places, training plans and targeting sports competitions. The purpose was to help brave athletes with visual disabilities to integrate into the sports circuit. For this reason, a total of 14 athletes, including guides and athletes with visual disabilities, have been training with passion and discipline alongside coaches from the organization “I am their eyes” for the triathlon.

“In these 8 years of experience we have witnessed how the lives of people with visual disabilities can change, who may have lost hope in practicing sports and what this entails, such as insecurity, shame and low self-esteem, with the contribution from Yo soy sus ojos have found a safe space for sports practice and personal improvement that gives them security and gives them the opportunity to dream and set goals, from starting to run, training for a marathon, a triathlon and so on. But the most beautiful thing is that through volunteering, there is a double path of effect, that is, for both athletes with visual disabilities but also for the volunteer guides who assist them, empathy and inspiration are produced by how barriers and stories are broken. of sports improvement,” he added.