(ATR) Athletes from 97 countries mingled and marched together in a parade of nations at the opening ceremony for the ANOC World Beach Games in Doha, Qatar.
The celebratory, yet modest opening ceremony at the Katara Amphitheater lasted just one hour on a steamy Saturday evening in Doha, albeit cooled by a breeze off the adjacent Persian Gulf.
A capacity crowd of 5,000 people heard Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani declared the inaugural edition of the Games open.
HE Jassim Al Buainain, the director general and vice-president of the Doha 2019 organizing committee, welcomed more than 1,200 beach and water sport athletes to the Qatari capital.
"The State of Qatar considers sport, in its various forms, a pillar of its current and future sustainability," Al Buainain said.
"Key among our areas of focus are the development of sporting infrastructure, talent, skill and knowledge. We hope these games will contribute to the enduring global legacy of these sporting disciplines and thanks to ANOC for their trust and cooperation."
Robin Mitchell, the acting president of ANOC, followed the Qatari sports leader, applauding Doha’s quick and efficient preparation.
"In just three short months, the organizing committee has committed all the necessary work and obligations providing an excellent environment for athlete to compete at their very best over the coming days," he said.
The Fijian IOC executive board member also addressed athletes.
"This is an international platform to showcase your skill and entertain people
around the world. We have no doubt you will put on an amazing show over the next few days, which shared by the media, the Olympic Channel and all of you with your digital technology and focus to share this with the world.
"Ladiesand gentleman, together we are making history. This is the first and only truly global festival of beach, water and sports. We believe that innovative, new multi-sports concept will help the NOCs connect with new sports, new stars and a whole new generation of sports fans for the first time."
Mitchell alsopraised Sheik-Ahmad Al Fahad, who is self-suspended as ANOC president pending resolution of legal wrangling in Switzerland and Kuwait, unrelated to ANOC.
Despite Sheikh Ahmad’s presence at the ceremony, he played no official role in the evening’s proceedings.
ANOC secretary general Gunilla Lindberg told Around the Rings that she was greatly relieved that the beach games were successfully underway. Lindberg said it was a big effort considering the unexpected late move from San Diego to Doha.
The one-hour ceremony included a theatrical performance charting Qatar’s history, its past as a place known for pearl diving, to the present day nation as hosting the ANOC World Beach Games.
The narrative featured an old man and his granddaughters, who asked him about his life as a pearl diver. He regaled them with stories of his long and hard times working at sea.
Competition continues Sunday across ten of the 13 sports on the Doha 2019 program. The first medals of the Games will be awarded in the 5k open water swim for both men and women at Katara Beach. Medals in Kata Karate are also on offer.
The event concludes on Wednesday, October 15th.
Written and reported in Doha by Brian Pinelli.
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