Mascots must have a friendly name and be based on "the positive elements of the historical, natural and cultural identity of the Peruvian capital city of Lima, making reference to an animal, plant, person, animated object or any other related to the host city". 

Designers have until May 8 to enter the competition, more information on which can be found by clicking here. 

Three mascots will be shortlisted and announced on May 31, with the winner being decided by popular vote between that date and June 30 on Lima 2019’s website.

Each of the three shortlisted designers will receive prize money.

Minors, aged under 18, can take part in the competition but must be represented by an adult.

The judging panel will be made up of one representative of the Lima 2019 Organising Committee, the Special Project of the Organising Committee (COPAL), the Municipality of Lima, the National University of San Marcos and the Toulouse Lautrec and Instituto San Ignacio de Loyola institutes.

The 2019 Pan American Games are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, while the Parapan American Games are set to be held from August 21 to September 1.

Pachi, a porcupine, was the mascot for Toronto 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games.

A special report released by Ontario Auditor-General Bonnie Lysyk in June of last year found that a proposed revenue target of CAD$3.6 million (£2.2 million/$2.7 million/€2.6 million) from the licensing of Pachi was missed as the final figure came in at CAD$2.1 million (£1.3 million/$1.6 million/€1.5 million).