The offensive has not gone unnoticed. Paraguay has been attempting a bold breakthrough in the international sports landscape for several months. The capital, Asuncion, will host the second edition of the Junior Pan American Games next summer (August 9-23, 2025). It has also secured the organization of a football World Cup match for the very first time in 2030 and is eyeing, in no particular order, the 2026 World Skateboarding Championships, the 2030 Youth Olympic Games and the 2031 Pan American Games. The result of an ambitious strategy to establish itself as a stronghold of world sport.
Five years to change everything
President Santiago Peña, in office since August 2023, embodies this ambition. From his campaign, he had announced the color of his mandate. "Sport is not a minor issue, it fills us with pride, it gives us health, it keeps us away from drugs and it promotes our country internationally", he stressed, recalling that he had « always supported investments in this area" as Minister of Finance. He has repeatedly stated his determination to move his country forward since his election. "My commitment, as I said from day one, is to be the president who is most committed to sport, he declared on the sidelines of the Paris 2024 Games. I will not relax, these five years will be the ones in which Paraguay will invest the most in sport."
The organization of the Paraguay University Games, which brought together more than 5.000 students in 2024, marked the starting point of its policy of promoting sport as a vector of well-being and integration. The event was also part of a prevention plan against drugs and addictions. "As soon as you enter university, life changes. Many people sometimes have to work while they study and time does not allow them to dedicate themselves to sport, which is fundamental for personal development. That is why I congratulate you because from this first edition of the Paraguay University Games, we are going to change the history of sport in our country", he announced at the inauguration.
The YOG as a springboard
To succeed in his bet, Santiago Peña sees things in a big way. The government has invested 10 million dollars in the future Olympic Aquatic Center, within the Olympic Park of Luque. The venue will be able to accommodate up to 2.500 people. "This aquatic center will be the most modern in South America", assures the president of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee Camilo Pérez. The construction site began in August 2024, for an inauguration expected in July 2025. The work should allow athletes to move up a gear in terms of preparation conditions, and the country to aspire to organize other competitions. Starting with the World Masters Swimming Championships in 2026, for which Paraguay is "very advanced" according to Camilo Perez. The sequel may lead to World Skate Games 2026, the 2030 Youth Olympic Games and the 2031 Pan American Games.
Santiago Peña was able to speak directly with Thomas Bach on January 31 in Lausanne. Paraguay's bid for the 2030 YOG was among the main topics of discussion. "We are committed to building a better future for our young people. Hosting the Youth Olympic Games would support this mission, he explained. Our wish is to make these Games much more than a sporting event. We see them as a festival that integrates sport, cultural exchange, education and Olympic values."The Junior Pan American Games will serve as a real-life test, as the country will host 4.206 athletes representing 43 disciplines. Thomas Bach was receptive and stressed the Paraguayan president's clear vision for sport in his country and his strong understanding of how sport can transform lives, especially those of young people". The IOC boss had visited Asuncion a few months earlier and had been able to "note the very favorable development of sport in Paraguay and its tremendous social impact ». A good student, therefore, entitled to claim the most prestigious competitions. All dreams are permitted.
