The brand-new Olympic Aquatic Centre (CAO), the most state-of-the-art swimming centre in South America, is set to make a splash just in time for the Asunción 2025 Junior Pan American Games. The magnificent facility in Luque, result of a US$10 million investment in Paraguayan sport, will be officially opened on Saturday July 5, at 10:30 AM, by the Paraguayan Olympic Committee (COP).
Currently, according to architect Óscar Vega, the project is in its final stages, with civil finishing work underway. This includes painting, flooring, fixture installation, and development of the exterior spaces.
Olympic Aquatic Centre: a world-class venue
The CAO represents a giant leap forward for aquatic sports in Paraguay. Meeting all the stringent technical requirements of World Aquatics, the internationally recognised facility paves the way for hosting top-tier competitions.
Located within the Olympic Park, the CAO boasts a 50×25-metre swimming pool, a 20×25-metre diving pool, and seating for a whopping 2,500 spectators – all within a sprawling 14,000 square metres. The construction project itself has provided over 300 jobs, a testament to its positive impact on the local community.
Ready, set, dive into the Junior Pan American Games
The CAO’s first official event will be none other than the Junior Pan American Games, taking place from August 9 to 23. Sports Minister César Ramírez shared his enthusiasm, highlighting the CAO as “one of most significant sporting investments in recent years, reflecting the government’s commitment to public sporting policies”.
“This centre is crucial for preparing our young athletes,” Minister Ramírez added. “With the Junior Pan American Games just around the corner, they will have a fantastic opportunity to compete on home turf. We’re confident they’ll bring home plenty of medals for Paraguay.”
Olympic aspirations
Camilo Pérez López Moreira, President of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and the driving force behind the development of South America’s premier Olympic Park, expressed his excitement about the future:
“With this incredible facility, we are practically ready to host the Youth Olympic Games, which we are bidding for in 2030, and the Senior Pan American Games in 2031.”
He also highlighted the Olympic Aquatic Centre’s unique, adaptable design: “This aquatic centre is the most modern in South America. Its movable bridge allows us to configure the pool for both 25-metre and 50-metre events, offering incredible training flexibility.”
Inspiration for the next generation
Paraguayan swimming champion and current chair of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission, Benjamín Hockin, recalled his own training experiences for the 2012 London Olympics, where he prepared in a mere 25-metre pool.
“Today, Paraguay is ready to host major events, and that fills me with pride,” says Hockin, who had an inspiring message for young athletes. “In high-performance sport, you must know how to fight for your dreams.”
For more information, follow Pan American Games on Instagram, and ASU2025 on Instagram.
