Talking about Peruvian sport is also connecting with one of its emblems such as the legendary National Stadium, which today celebrates its 72nd anniversary, a silent witness to memorable moments of triumph, as well as well-deserved recognition throughout its history.
On Monday, October 27, 1952, the then president Manuel A. Odría inaugurated the venue that is currently known as ‘the home of the national team’, replacing the old Stadium, which had a field and wooden stands gifted by the English government in 1897.
Remodeled in 2011 and with a current capacity for 43,661 spectators in the four stands, and approximately 3,500 in the boxes, the offices of the Peruvian Institute of Sports (IPD) are located in the also called ‘Colossus of José Díaz’. facilities of National Sports Federations such as boxing, table tennis, badminton, billiards, kung fu, among others.
The first sports venue in the country also displays, on its front, the Sports Laurels, which is the highest honorary reward that the Nation confers on those who have distinguished themselves exceptionally in sports, the last winner being Stefano Peschiera for having won the bronze medal in sailing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
In addition, it has the Olympic Museum that pays tribute to world sport and the sporting achievements of Peru. In this space there is a monument to Edwin Vásquez, a shooter who won the Olympic gold medal in London 1948, and a photo gallery, posters of the Olympic Games, medals, sports philately and historical objects of national exponents who gave laurels are exhibited. to the country.
Likewise, the grand opening ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games is remembered.
Great wins
Among the most glorious moments of Peruvian sport that took place in the National Stadium is the classification of the women’s volleyball team to the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games. This is how Esperanza ‘Pilancho’ Jiménez, who played on that team under the command of Akira Kato, remembers it. and in 1996 she was president of the IPD, until now the only woman in that position.
“The National Stadium is truly a story for me, I am very fond of it, because I started playing there when I was 14 years old and I finished there when I was 32. The Stadium filled my entire being and has enjoyed our sorrows and joys. I say thank you for everything you allowed me to live and because you accepted us to be part of your story,” the former matador recalled.
Another of the unforgettable events in this venue occurred on Sunday, May 17, 1959, when the soccer team beat its counterpart from England 4-1 and had the largest attendance in its history: 50,306 spectators.
blessed grass
Almost 58 years later, in 2017, La Blanquirroja made the country vibrate with its qualification for the 2018 Russia World Cup, after defeating New Zealand 2-0. That Wednesday night, the grass of the National Stadium was watered with the tears of emotion of the Peruvian soccer players for returning to the highest soccer tournament after 36 years.
The field keeps that memory alive and is very well cared for thanks to people like Ronald Morales, gardener (from a supplier company), who is in charge of keeping it in excellent condition. The National Stadium also has the legendary boxing ‘Bombonera’, where Alberto ‘Chiquito’ Rossel began his path to the light flyweight world title won in 2012.
World figures such as former boxer Muhammad Ali and soccer stars such as Pelé, Diego Armando Maradona and Lionel Messi appeared at the venue and have left traces of their talent, making the country’s first sports venue even bigger.
Data
The National Stadium was inaugurated with a match in which Bolivia defeated Peru 1-0.
The imposing structure, which remains to this day, stands out for a tower in the north stand, a characteristic symbol of the stadium.
The colossus has hosted important competitions, such as the 2004 Copa América, in which several matches were held, including the final between Argentina and Brazil.
It also hosted the Under-17 World Championship in 2005, and world-renowned teams such as Real Madrid have played on its grass.
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