The organizers of the 2019 Pan American Games and Para-Pan American Games, which will be held in Lima, Peru, have announced Milco to be the mascot for both events.
Milco, who was created by graphic designer Andrea Medrano, stands as a symbol of Lima’s history and culture, while also representing the values of the sports represented at the Pan and Para-Pan American Games.
The Lima 2019 website describes Milco as,
“A very cheerful, optimistic and above all hospitable mascot that is characterized by always being with his arms open in order to receive everyone in the Games. Lima has a historical cultural past that we are proud of, and that is what Milco seeks to highlight. The color red is one of his favorite colors, which is also part of our flag and above all represents passion, and it is the feeling that always leads us to give the best in each competition.”
Milco was designed as an homage to the cuchimilco, which are small terracotta figurines from the Chancay culture (1200-1450 AD). While the exact function of the terracotta figurines is unknown (the Chancay kept no written records), the cuchimilco were thought to act as guardians of the tombs of the Chancay people or companions in the afterlife.
To learn more about Milco and the 2019 Pan and Para-Pan American Games, visit the official Lima 2019 website.
