As of 9 August, 2025, Paraguay becomes the heart of youth sport in the Americas, with the official inauguration of the ASU2025 Junior Pan American Games. This large-scale multi-sport event will take place until 23 August, bringing together more than 4,000 athletes from 41 countries.
A continental celebration that makes history
This is the second edition of the Junior Pan American Games, created in 2021 as a development platform for young athletes. Following its debut in Cali, Colombia, the event arrives in Paraguay with the promise of being even greater, more inclusive, and transformative. In this edition, 28 sports and 42 disciplines will be contested in modern facilities located in Asunción, Luque, Encarnación and Ypacaraí.
The main venues are the Olympic Park of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee (COP) in Luque and the National Secretariat for Sport (SND) in Asunción. These are joined by natural and sporting venues such as the Bahía de Asunción, the Costanera Sur, Lake Ypacaraí, and San José Beach in Encarnación.
The Minister of Sport, César Ramírez, affirmed that ASU2025 is a commitment assumed as a State policy, highlighting the investment made in infrastructure, logistics and human capital.
Meanwhile, Camilo Pérez, President of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and of the Local Organising Committee, emphasised the symbolism of the event: “This is not merely a tournament, it is a platform of dreams. The starting point for future Olympic champions.”
Team Paraguay: Youth, talent, and pride
Team Paraguay will be represented by 325 athletes: 171 men and 154 women, who will compete in 34 disciplines, aiming to surpass the ten medals earned at the first edition in Cali 2021. The national delegation was officially introduced recently at the Olympic Park Velodrome, during a moving ceremony attended by the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, along with sports authorities and representatives from the International Olympic Committee.
The flag bearers for the opening ceremony are Nicole Martínez, fourth place at the 2024 U23 Rowing World Championships, and Lars Flaming, South American U23 champion in javelin throw. They will lead the national delegation, accompanied by three other outstanding athletes: Fiorella Gatti (squash), Kyle Bogado (weightlifting), and Janine Hanspach (fencing).
Beyond sport: culture, legacy, and hospitality
ASU2025 also represents an opportunity to showcase Paraguay’s rich culture to the world. The opening ceremony on August 9 will feature artistic performances, national symbols and the official song of the Games, “Somos leyenda” (We are legend), performed by acclaimed Paraguayan artists and composed by Chirola Ruiz Díaz, lead singer of Kchiporros. The video clip was filmed in a single continuous shot, marking a milestone in the country’s audiovisual history.
In addition, the medals for the ASU2025 edition pay tribute to the Guarania, Paraguay’s emblematic musical genre, with a design inspired by “Jejuí”, the iconic composition by José Asunción Flores.
Things you can and cannot bring
For the Pan American Junior Games ASU 2025, attendees are permitted to bring mobile phones, phone chargers, prescription medication with a valid prescription, hand sanitiser, raincoats, light makeup, perfumes up to 100 ml, empty thermal cups, feminine hygiene products, baby care items, mate and tereré equipment, and face masks.
However, for safety reasons, items such as weapons, aerosols, fireworks, flags with poles, political or religious banners, umbrellas, loud air horns, laser pointers, professional photography and audio equipment, musical instruments, illegal substances, selfie sticks, drones, tablets, laptops, flammable materials, lighters, and vaping products are strictly prohibited. These regulations are in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees and participants.
Key facts about ASU2025
- Dates: August 9 to 23, 2025.
- Athletes: Over 4,000.
- Participating countries: 41.
- Sports: 28.
- Disciplines: 42.
- Volunteers: 3,500.
- Official mascots: Tito and Tika, inspired by the tiríka, a wild feline native to the Paraguayan Chaco.
- Host cities: Asunción, Luque, Encarnación, and Ypacaraí.
Beyond medals, ASU2025 aims to leave both a tangible and intangible legacy: the consolidation of Paraguay as an international sporting destination, the strengthening of its sports infrastructure, and the inspiration of new generations of athletes.
