Tbilisi, June 27, 2015 – with a coulourful Opening Ceremony at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, attended by 1,500 people, the Tbilisi 2015 13th Summer European Youth Olympic Festival officially opened yesterday evening in the capital city of Georgia.
Performed by children’s dance ensembles, the ceremony evoked the rich history of Georgia and its regional characteristics. They then left the stage to Paata Burchuladze, the renowned Georgian tenor, who sang the national anthem of Georgia along whilst the flags were raised. There followed the traditional athletes’ parade.
Then came the time for addresses, with Tbilisi 2015 EYOF Chairman Aleksi Akhvlediani and EOC President Patrick Hickey welcoming the athletes, and Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announcing the official opening of the EYOF. The EOC delegation included Secretary Raffaele Pagnozzi and numerous members of the Executive Committee. Many presidents and officials from the 50 participating European NOCs were also present.
The audience followed the arrival of the Olympic Torch into the stadium on giant monitors. An aerial acrobat held up by a ‘heliosphere’ ascended out of a decorative mountain and handed the Olympic flame over to Olympic champion, Gela Ketashvili. Then the final torchbearer, Olympic champion Zviad Zviadauri, lit the stadium’s Olympic Flame.
Until August 1st some 3,500 young athletes will be competiting in 9 sports, winning medals, sharing special experiences and making new friends.
