The 3rd CISM World Military Winter Games will take place from 22 to 28 February at the Olympic sports venues in Sochi’s mountain and coastal clusters.
Dmitry
Medvedev’s speech at the opening ceremony:
Good evening, Mr Al Shino ladies and gentlemen. Today we are opening the 3rd CISM World Military Winter Games. I welcome athletes, participants, all our guests, spectators and winter sports fans. I am confident that Sochi will bring you success and a spectacular, wonderful event.
These are Russia’s first World Military Winter Games. It is a great honour for us, and a great responsibility. We are delighted to welcome military athletes from over 20 countries and we are doing our best to ensure that this kind of military Olympics is organised to the highest standard. Sochi has all it takes to ensure it, including the invaluable experience of the 2014 Sochi Olympics and its wonderful Olympic heritage. I am confident that both the mountain and coastal clusters will provide maximum comfort for the athletes and fans.
The military games are peaceful competitions where participants show off not their combat skills but sports achievements and fair play, which strengthens world peace and trust between countries and brings people together. It is no accident that the motto of the International Military Sports Council (CISM) is Friendship through Sport.
The games have truly brought together the very best and strongest of teams, which means that the competitions are going to be spectacular and exciting to watch. I sincerely wish all the athletes to show great performance, stamina and respect for their fellow competitors, and I wish all the fans unforgettable impressions.
Ladies and gentlemen, guests and participants, I declare the 3rd CISM World Military Winter Games open!