Youth Festival of Tbilisi 2015 opened. Prior to the opening, Olympic Festival’s Organizing Chairman Aleqsi Akhvlediani delivered a speech.
“Thanks to Mr. Patrick Hickey for having opportunity to hold the 13th Youth Festival. Our country hosts such event for the first time, which is very important. Also, it is for the first time Olympic Festival will last for 6 days.
We have implemented large-scale projects. Seven arenas of 11 were set up for this event and Olympic Village was built for the athletes, which is also very important.
Thanks to each of the organizers, volunteers, athletes and the government”, - said Akhvlediani.
After Akhvlediani, European Olympic Committee’s President Patrick Hickey delivered a speech.
“It’s your matches, first of all let’s greet those people who came here to support athletes.
Thanks to Leri Khabelov, Aleqsi Akhvlediani, Government of Georgia, all the organizers”, - said Hickey.
Olympic champions Nona Gaprindashvili, Levan Tediashvili, Rafael Chinishkiani, Vazha Kacharava, Vakhtang Blagidze and Roman Rurua raised the Olympic Festival’s flag, after which the hymn of the International Olympic Committee was played and was hoisted International Olympic Committee’s flag.
In the next part of the opening ceremony, the referee Rusudan Sikharulidze, coach Davit Kvernadze and athlete Giga Zarnadze took their oath.
“On behalf of all the participants I promise to respect the rules for the sport’s glory and dignity of our teams” – said Giga Zarnadze.
“I promise faithfully fulfill our duties”, - said Kvernadze.
“On behalf of all referees and officials I promise not to be biased and to obey the rules”, - said Sikharulidze.
Later, Sukhishvilebi performed the dance “Samaia” and other cultural sites were presented. Then the Olympic Flame appeared at the Mikheil Meskhi stadium and the Festival announced open.
