The Mexican's comments came after a meeting with Peruvian Olympic Committee (POC) and Lima 2019 officials, where he was presented with a report that outlined the progress already achieved since the city was awarded the Games at the PASO General Assembly in Toronto last October.

José Quiñones, President of the POC, also discussed the development of the master plan for Lima 2019, the forming of the Organising Committee, construction work, the sports programme and the establishment of an anti-doping laboratory.

Speaking earlier this month, he said he expects all of the major sports facilities for the Games, which have been allocated a budget of $712 million (£426 million/€517 million), to be complete before 2016.

Mario Vázquez Raña (right) is pleased with Lima's plans for the 2019 Pan and Parapan American Games ©PASO


"We have committed to the Pan American Sports Organization to complete all major works before 2016, even when there are 65 months left for the start of the Games in Peru; however, the athletes' village is not included to be finished within this period," Quiñones added.

He also spoke with Jimena Saldaña and Reynaldo González, PASO secretary general and executive secretary respectively, about the calendar of events ahead of the upcoming PASO Executive Committee Meeting and the General Assembly in Mexico in September of this year.

Vázquez Raña reiterated the full support of the Americas Olympic Movement and said it has confidence in Peru to deliver a great event.

The 2019 Pan American Games are expected to attract more than 6,000 top athletes from 41 countries across the continent.

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