OFFICIAL NEWS
SOLEMN OPENING CEREMONY OF XXVIII SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES IN ATHENS
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV ATTENDED THE CEREMONY
President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony.
102 of 204 member countries of the International Olympic Committee are represented in the Games, which will last till August 29. Some 10,5 thousand athletes are to fight for 669 gold, 666 silver and 686 bronze medals. 38 members of the Azerbaijan’s national team will compete in 12 kinds of sport.
At the beginning of the ceremony, President of Greece Konstantinos Stefanopoulos and President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge and Chairman of the Olympic Organizing Committee Mrs. Gianna Angelopulos Daskalaki appeared on the ground.
The State flag was hoisted to the accompaniment of the national anthem of Greece.
The Organizers had prepared truly splendid program based of the ancient Greek myths.
After the Olympic anthem was performed, procession of the Olympic began. The national flag of Azerbaijan Republic was carried by weightlifting world champion Nizami Pashayev.
The honorable mission to light The Olympic fire was entrusted to Greek yachtsman Nikos Kaklamanakis.
Four billion people in all continents were watching the opening ceremony.
Performances by the Azerbaijani athletes are starting in 14 August.