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As with many countries, Peru holds its best athletes in high regard. Every major bank wants them to endorse their products, and you’ll often see a toned athlete sitting uncomfortably in the TV spotlight, being interviewed by a selection of cheerful presenters. If you’re headed to Peru on vacation, here are some well-known athletes you can talk to a proud Peruvian about, who will likely be delighted to learn about some of his greatest achievements.
The swimmer
Juan Carlos Bello is more popularly known as Johnny Bello for his swimming experience. He learned to swim at the age of seven and from 1965 to 1973 he dominated the four main strokes of swimming, winning many medals in South American and Pan American swimming competitions. He participated in the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968 and in Munich in 1972. He was also a sports leader, being president of the Peruvian Sports Federation of Swimming Clubs and is currently Vice President of the Peruvian Swimming Sports Federation, in charge of the Swimming Committee in open waters. He ran for the presidency of the Peruvian Olympic Committee in 2009.
football player
Teófilo Cubillas, a former soccer (or soccer) player is widely considered to be one of the greatest South American soccer players of all time. With excellent technical ability, Cubillas played in midfield and had a powerful shot that terrified the goalkeepers. He was known as a free-kick specialist and scored 515 goals in his entire career, which placed him seventh in the all-time World Cup goalscoring rankings with ten World Cup goals. An IFFFHS poll voted him the 48th greatest footballer of the 20th century and Pelé named him one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers in his 2004 FIFA list. In February 2008 the South American All Star First team selected him as member of the previous 50 years.
The volleyball player
Volleyball is a big deal in Peru, and Cecilia Tait is known as Peru’s most talented volleyball player and one of the greatest players in volleyball history. She made her debut in the sport at the age of 18 at the Pan American Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She also participated with the Peruvian team in three Summer Olympics, finishing fourth in 1984, and won a silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. At the 1982 World Championships she won a silver medal and added a bronze to her trophy cabinet in 1986. In 2005, she was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame and in 2000, she was elected to the Congress in Peru.
the surfer
Peru’s position as a world-class surf destination was confirmed when it produced a world champion surfer. Sofía Mulánovich Aljovín, born in Lima, is the first Peruvian surfer to win an ASP event, let alone the world title. On July 27, 2007, she was inducted into the Surfers Hall of Fame for her 10th anniversary celebrations, making her the first South American to achieve this goal.
With some of these famous names under your belt, you should be able to relate to most sports fans and strike up some interesting conversations, giving you a great opportunity to gain a unique, insider’s point of view on your Peru vacation.