Today’s Google Doodle celebrates one of the world’s sporting events—the Pan American Games. For the next 17 days, approximately 6,700 of the best competitors crosswise over North and South America will meet up in Lima, Peru to contend in 61 disciplines, including 22 qualifying contests for the Olympics.

Devised by the International Olympic Committee as a method for urging American countries to become increasingly involved in worldwide competition, the Pan Am Games were planned to launch in Buenos Aires in 1942, however were deferred to 1951 in view of World War II. Beginning that year with 2,513 competitors from 21 taking an interest nations, the Pan Am Games have become significantly over the past half-century.

This year marks the games’ 18th staging and will include new occasions, for example, surfing, which will make its Olympic presentation at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The games will feature the indigenous culture of Peru, with a light run beginning in the old mountain stronghold of Machu Picchu. Promptly following the Pan American Games, physically challenged competitors from everywhere throughout the Americas will contend in 17 different sports for the Parapan Games.

Spotted all through the games will be the official mascot of the Lima 2019 Pan-Am Games and Parapan Games, “Milco.” A ceramic sculpture character whose triumphant design was presented by 24-year-old Andrea Norka Medrano Moy and gathered 19,895 votes, Milco was inspired by indigenous Peruvian pottery known as cuchimilco or huaco, which dates back to the old Incan realm.

“I made this design because I like what the cuchimilcos represent in the history of our country. With its outstretched arms, Milco is welcoming everyone,” said Medrano.