Wherever Dean Karnazes goes, he shares how to live a healthy lifestyle, and includes all kinds of people in his mission.
As Sports Ambassador for the US Department of State Sports Envoy, Dean traveled to Peru from January 6–15 2018.
He met and ran with Peruvian communities, including some of the country’s top runners, senior sports and youth officials, blind athletes, and indigenous people.
In Lima, Dean shared his expertise with the Pan American Games committee as it was planning to host athletes and visitors from throughout the Americas in Lima in 2019. He also volunteered in the “I’m Your Eyes” program to empower blind athletes to promote inclusiveness, and support a sports program that uses athletics to help rehabilitate female prison inmates.
Karnazes then visited the cities of Huancayo and Cusco to share best practices with top Peruvian runners, many of whom are from indigenous communities and who train in high-altitude regions. In Cusco, he also joined runners of the Chaki Wayra program, which encourages underprivileged rural youth to pursue positive life goals through running.
Additionally, Dean spoke at the Binational Centers in Lima, Huancayo, and Cusco.
Sports diplomacy uses the universal passion for sports as a way to transcend linguistic and sociocultural differences and bring people together. Participation in sports teaches leadership, teamwork, and communication skills that help people and communities succeed in all areas.
In 2016 the ultra-marathon legend had also been active as sports diplomat. On behalf of the United States Dean ran 525 kilometers run along the ancient Silk Road, conducting running clinics, giving talks, and inviting people of all ages to join him in fun runs.
