Newly-elected Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) president, Neven Ilic, and the PASO executive committee have completed three days of planning meetings with the Lima 2019 Organising Committee.

During the visit, Ilic and the committee met with key members of the Lima 2019 Organising Committee, including its president, Carlos Neuhaus. The delegation also toured event sites and venues.

The working groups in Lima follow Ilic’s visit to the capital last week where he met with Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and was reassured of Peru’s commitment to successfully delivering the Pan American Games in 2019.

Neuhaus said: “We were delighted to welcome back President Ilic and his team so soon after his initial visit and we have completed three days of very fruitful meetings.

"The knowledge and experience that Mr Ilic and his team possess on the Pan American Games is second to none and it was invaluable to be able to update them on our progress and in return receive their feedback and advice. There is a real sense of energy and urgency from both sides as we begin to accelerate our Pan-American Games' preparations.”

Ilic added: “It was a pleasure to return to Lima following my meetings with President Kuczynski and President Neuhaus last week. Both have demonstrated their full commitment to delivering a successful event and I am convinced that Lima 2019 will be a memorable Pan American Games – but we must make the most of all the time we have left.

"That is why, I immediately returned with my PASO Executive Committee so we could meet with Mr Neuhaus and his team to get an update on the progress being made and strengthen our plan of action for the coming months. Our aim is to improve the coordination between both organisations so that PASO can take a more active role in the delivery of the Games.”