On Friday, September 9 at 4:30 p.m. at the Presidential Breakwater of the Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, the reception ceremony for the South American Fire was held, which comes from the ancient city of Tiahuanaco, Bolivia.

The event was attended by the President of the Republic, Mr. Mario Abdo Benítez, the Minister Secretary for Sports, Mr. Diego Galeano Harrison, and the President of ODESUR and Member of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Camilo Pérez López Moreira, who addressed a few words alluding to the occasion.

From the Presidential Breakwater, the South American Fire headed for the Paraguayan Olympic Committee (COP), through the relievers who were in charge of carrying the fire with the official torches of the ASU2022 Games. In the last section, Víctor Pecci, former Minister of Sports and Bicentennial athlete, was in charge of carrying the torch, to the hands of Mr. Camilo Pérez López Moreira, who lit the first cauldron of the ASU2022 Games.

On the other hand, another delegation moved the South American Fire to the National Sports Secretariat (SND), passing by the relievers until reaching Mr. Diego Galeano Harrison, who made the last part of the journey and lit the cauldron, symbolizing the arrival of the South American Games to our country.

After the reception in the capital, the South American Fire will begin its journey through the interior of the country reaching the imposing Paraguayan Chaco, this act will have more meaning than ever passing through the cities of the 17 departments where their landscapes rich in fauna and flora shine, inviting each inhabitant to be part of this great sporting event that will allow not only the integration of athletes and their potential, but will also be an embrace of cultures, and in this context, the symbolism of fire is an expression that unites Paraguay with the traditions of other peoples of this continent.

The XII Games Asunción 2022 will be held from October 1 to 15 in our country with the participation of 15 countries that make up ODESUR, more than 6,800 athletes and officials, 34 sports plus 2 (two) exhibition sports, 53 sports modalities, 38 stages and more than 4000 volunteers.