"We have a very professional event taking place in Chile. This is what athletes deserve. When we have an event, we must always look at the venue, the medals, the general organisation, the transport, the accommodation and more. As organisers we can not make less of an effort than the athletes do to get to that level. Here it's very simple, as an athlete would I enjoy competing? The answer is yes, clearly!
A few days ago, we had the Panamerican Judo Confederation elections and a new team is now on board. I told all the delegates that we had a big challenge in front of us as the LA 28 Games are already fast approaching. Everyone needs our support, from the athletes to the organisers. Here in Santiago we see the next generation, the one that will be competing in Los Angeles and further on in Brisbane in 2032. We want more Panamerican athletes to qualify than in Paris last year and we also want better results. So, we have to work hard.
It's a fantastic opportunity to have the Olympic Games coming to our continent. It offers possibilities for the national federations and the athletes to represent their country at the highest level.
We have a strategy and we are already launching our Road to LA 28. It's going to be made of training camps and competitions. We will also identify the athletes who have the potential for a medal. We only have three years now, so we need to be fast and effective. We are also looking at how we can support the local organisers, including USA Judo.
We are planning already for the next IJF seminar to be in Los Angeles and we want to bring the continental championships back to American soil. Our team has a lot experience and knowledge to share. It's a big effort but we are ready and with IJF support and the whole IJF team, we will succeed. All our directors are ready to support the USA.
Developing judo on the whole continent is also very important. We believe that the social dimension of judo is very important for society. When people see judo on TV, when they follow the judo stars, they never imagine how much work they put in on the tatami to reach that level. Recently I visited Brazil and went to a favela. I took my judogi with me and went on the mat. It's important to be on the field to feel the atmosphere and see the reality. We need to offer dreams to all children. We are planning to run some special programmes such as travelling down the Amazon river with a boat to offer judo all the way down from Peru to Brazil.
Our social communities are waiting for judo and for its values. We need to deliver the same judo principles no matter how situations can differ. On the tatami we are all the same.
We have some very good news for our judoka as well. During the last Olympic cycle, there was no World Judo Tour event in Panamerica. This will change and we are looking forward to having 6 grand prix over the coming years so our athletes can have easier access. We also want to organise the World Judo Masters. It's a big effort but it's needed. With the support of the IJF and President Marius Vizer, we can do it.
I want to thank the IJF and the whole IJF team for their incredible support. Panam is ready to give the international judo community its best."
There is motivation, and where there is will there is achievement. There is no doubt that Panamerica will be under the spotlight in the coming years but they are ready!