“I declare the 2009 World Games open,” Ma said as the capacity crowd exploded into life, cheering the president in a celebration of patriotism and expectation of the sporting extravaganza set to unfold over the coming days.
Prior to Ma taking the podium, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu delivered an address in which she thanked the International World Games Association for giving the city a chance to hold the event.
“Staging an event such as the World Games proves Taiwan has the ability to be a responsible member of the international community,” she said. “All countries should participate in this event and not be forgotten.”
The Kaoshiung Organizing Committee said around US$73 million had been invested by the central and city governments in staging the games. This was the first time for Taiwan to hold a major international multisport competition.
The 11-day event, which runs until July 26, features 3,800 athletes from 98 countries participating in 31 sports. These are categorized into artistic and dance sports, ball sports, martial arts, precision sports, strength sports and trend sports.
The two-hour opening ceremony showcased the island’s rich heritage and multicultural traditions, blending traditional and modern in a celebration of everything Taiwanese.
The stadium floor was filled with a host of artists, including dancers, in-line skaters and puppeteers, performing to the sounds of electronic music and orchestral numbers. High-tech light and smoke shows, along with fireworks, created an evening that will long live on in the memory of spectators and participants alike.
A highlight of the ceremony was “Kaohsiung Vitality,” featuring Taiwanese ultramarathon star Kevin Lin. Running around a virtual map of the world, Lin and a team of 40 cyclists made their way from the frozen wastes of the Artic to warm embrace of Kaohsiung.
After the performances, 1,800 athletes entered the stadium, with the loudest cheers reserved for the French, Japanese and Taiwanese contingents. Following the speeches, the ceremony concluded with a fireworks display.
Kaohsiung’s World Games is the eighth held since 1981 following U.S. city Santa Clara, California’s staging of the inaugural event. Other hosts include London, England; Lahti, Finland; and Akita, Japan. The 2013 games will be shared between the German cities of Dusiburg and Dusseldorf.
Write to John Scott Marchant at js_marchant@mail.gio.gov.tw