Cancún Hosts Historic Pan-Am Gymnastics for Down Syndrome

Cancún, Q. Roo — With a firm commitment to promoting inclusion, sports development, and respect for diversity, the First Open Pan-American Gymnastics Championship for Athletes with Down Syndrome was presented this morning. The event will take place from October 18 to October 22 at the Kuchil Baxal gymnasium.

During a press conference held in the meeting room of the Sports Institute, Alejandro Luna López, representing Municipal President Ana Paty Peralta, highlighted the importance of this type of event as a showcase to make visible the talent and effort of athletes with intellectual disabilities.

"With these events, we can see that a more just and inclusive society can be built. Our children teach us that everything is possible. All that remains for us to say is yes to sports and to work together," he expressed.

Luna López was accompanied by:

• Gualberto Mejía Moguel, Coordinator of Adapted Sports for the Sports Institute.
• Herman Fano Santamaría, President of the Gymnastics Association of the State of Quintana Roo A.C.
• Monserrat Abigail Valencia Camargo, President of the Quintana Roo Association for Para-Athletes with Intellectual Disability, Autism, and Down Syndrome A.C. and National Technical Director of Gymnastics for the Mexican Federation of Special Athletes A.C.

The event will feature the participation of approximately 50 athletes and 100 companions, including coaches, assistants, and family members. Competition will be held in three modalities:

• Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)
• Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG)
• Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG)

In the categories:

• Novice
• Junior Elite
• Senior Elite

Quintana Roo will be represented by six athletes, five from Cancún in the women's category and one from Chetumal in the men's category. Furthermore, delegations from Mexico, Canada, the United States, Argentina, and Italy as an invited country will participate.

This championship serves as a qualifying event for the DSIGO 2025 World Gymnastics Championship and seeks to establish the foundation for a continental development platform for athletes with Down Syndrome and intellectual disabilities, promoting the values of respect, fair play, discipline, unity, and empathy.

Admission will be completely free, and a cordial invitation is extended to the Cancún community and visitors to attend and support the athletes in this great celebration of inclusive sports.