MINSK – The 6th World University championship Canoe Sprint 2014 was officially opened at the basement of the Republican Rowing Center in Zaslavl. The opening ceremony began with a sonorous parade of countries-participants. The mascot of this championship, a catfish Lyavon, was in the head of column. Sportsmen carrying their flags followed Lyavon with dignity. By official information, more than 400 participants from 22 countries came to this championship. 250 sportsmen, 34 referees (8 world-class referees) and about 40 special guests and others are among them.
The importance of this competition, which will be held under the guidance of FISU for the first time ever in Belarus, was emphasized in the welcome speech, told by the chairman of organizing committee for preparing and holding championship and the Belarusian Minister of Education Sergey Maskevich. Such competitions are very significant, because they help to develop and popularize the students sport all over the world.
After that the president of the European University Sport Association Adam Roshek addressed with his speech to the participants.
The championship was announced officially opened by The Prime-Minister of Belarus Anatoly Tozic.
Traditionally, the FISU flag was run up with the sounds of the students’ anthem «Gaudeamus igitur». In a moment, the student of Mozyr State Pedagogical University named after Shamyakin, the Honored Master of Sports in Belarus, the bronze medalist of Olympics in London, multiple medalist of World championships and European championships Marina Litvinchuk uttered a swear of sportsmen. From referee’s board the swear was said by the director’s assistant of the “Republican Center of Olympic Training for Rowing”, the continental referee and the Master of Sports Dmitry Molochko.
The applauses were given not only to the participants and guests, but also to the collectives, who performed at the stage. Mostly, they were acrobatic, dancing and vocal students’ collectives. The famous Belarusian singer Anastasia Vinnikova, the winner of the project “The Academy of talents” Eugenie Slutsky, the participants of Ukrainian show “X-factor” vocal band “InJir” performed at the opening ceremony.
The final song of Irina Dorofeeva was a binder for all participants at the stage. It was the last moment of the opening ceremony and the first step to the competitions.
(Source: WUCOC Canoe Sprint)
