(ATR) The 10th edition of the World Games begins with the opening ceremony in Wroclaw, Poland.
The Wroclaw Stadium hosted the event, which featured the parade of athletes followed by short addresses by dignitaries including International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach and International World Games Association president Jose Perurena.
Bach told the crowd "In sport, everyone is equal, no matter who you are or where you come from."
Perurena called on the fans to do their part, saying "Now it is up to you, the spectators, to provide a great atmosphere for all the competitions."
After Bach officially declared the games open, athletes and fans were entertained by a show put together by artistic director Krzysztof Materna aimed at "presenting Wroclaw, Silesia and Poland in the best possible way." It featured musical contributions from Dawid Kwiatowski, Radzimir Debski, Steve Nash and The Turntable Orchestra, Kamil Bednarek, Igor Herbut and Lemon, and French band BeMY.
The event was streamed live on The Olympic Channel.
Before the opening ceremony began, Bach praised the organization and preparation for the Games in the Polish city, adding "The World Games are a celebration of the diversity of sport and it’s a unique opportunity for sports not in the limelight all the time to enjoy this limelight and this is why the IOC is supporting this World Games, to give these athletes the opportunity of these athletes' lifetime."
The World Games 2017 features 3,250 athletes from 111 countries who will compete in 27 official and four invitational sports over the next 10 days.
The first medalist will be known on Friday afternoon when the first final concludes in the women's finswimming. Bach is expected to stay for a few events on Friday, the first day of the competition.
Written by Gerard Farek
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