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European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) 2009 Kicks Off In Tampere
Tuesday July 21 2009 09:36 AM
A ninety-minute opening ceremony launched the 10th European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) 2009, which takes place between July 19th and 24th. Participants from 49 countries, including the Czech Republic, came to the Finnish town of Tampere. There were also nine members of the Organising Committee of EYOWF 2011 in the Liberec Region taking part in the Festival.
The summer Olympic Festival was opened by the President of the European Olympic Committees Patrick Hickey together with the Finnish President Tarja Halonen. Athletes from 49 countries were introduced at the stadium over the course of the evening with the Czech Republic sending fifty athletes for participation for medals.
The theme of the opening ceremony focused on traditional elements springing from Finnish national legends. The opening included lighting of the Olympic flame, hoisting the Olympic flag and oaths taken by athletes and referees. Apart from the country’s president, the evening ceremony was attended by Dr. Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). As Kateřina Nyčová, the Executive Director of the EYOWF 2011 Organising Committee, explained, “The presence of such renowned figures such as the head of state or President of the International Olympic Committee at the opening events is always a great honour for the organisers and participants and an unforgettable experience.”
The Czech delegation, consisting of members of the EYOWF 2011 Organising Committee and representatives from the Liberec Region, is looking forward to participating in an important two-day seminar on organisation and preparations for European Olympic Festivals, which have their summer and winter version every two years. Apart from obtaining knowledge about the preparations of such an event, the Czech organisers will also advertise the upcoming European Youth Olympic Winter Festival (EYOWF), which will welcome young European athletes to the Liberec Region in 2011.
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