Puerto Vallarta athletes Francisca Rosario “Chayito” Pelayo and Antonio Lamas have earned places on Mexico’s delegation for the inaugural Virtus 2026 Pan American Games. Both athletes will represent their community in continental competition following years of dedicated training and impressive international performances.
Their selection is an important achievement for adaptive sports in Puerto Vallarta and recognition of the hard work both athletes have demonstrated in state, national, and international competitions. Their latest accomplishments continue a record of success that has brought recognition to the local sports community.
In June, Pelayo and Lamas made Puerto Vallarta proud at the 2026 World Down Syndrome Championships in Bulgaria, where they combined to win nine medals in track and field events. Following that international success, both returned to competition at the 2026 CODE Jalisco State Games, putting in the work required to secure their positions on Team Jalisco for the National Paralympic Games.
At the upcoming Pan American Games, the two athletes will compete in the Trisomy 21 classification within the open category. The division brings together competitors with Down syndrome and features athletes representing established adaptive sports programs from across the Americas.
The competition will officially take place November 21–26 in Zinacantepec, a municipality in the State of Mexico. The Puerto Vallarta representatives are expected to arrive ahead of the opening events to adjust to the region’s high altitude and complete the required registration, weigh-in, and technical classification procedures before competition begins.
Coaches and family members have praised Pelayo and Lamas for their discipline and commitment throughout their preparation. Their selection reflects not only their individual achievements but also the dedication of the people who support their development as high-performance athletes. Both will carry Mexico’s colors into a competition that offers an important opportunity to showcase their abilities on an international stage.
As the inaugural Virtus Pan American Games approach, support continues to grow for the two Puerto Vallarta representatives. Their participation is another encouraging step for inclusive sports in Jalisco, while their determination and accomplishments offer inspiration to other athletes with intellectual disabilities who hope to pursue competitive opportunities at the highest levels.
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