AN OPENING CEREMONY FULL OF EXCITEMENT, UNITY, AND A STRONG FOCUS ON PROMOTING FAIR PLAY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS.

News • July 5, 2023

AN OPENING CEREMONY FULL OF EXCITEMENT, UNITY, AND A STRONG FOCUS ON PROMOTING FAIR PLAY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS.

A LARGE GROUP OF YOUTHFUL ATHLETES CAME TOGETHER IN AURONZO DI CADORE, SHOWCASING FLAGS AND COLORS IN JOYFUL REVELRY. THE OCCASION CLOSED WITH A SPLENDID PERFORMANCE BY SINGER LIETA NACCARI AND VIRTUOSO VIOLINIST FILIPPO ROLANDO.

The Junior and U23 Speed Canoe World Championships’ opening ceremony occurred at 6:00 PM in Piazza Santa Giustina. Mayor Dario Vecellio Galeno, President of the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation Luciano Buonfiglio, and Vice President of ICF International Canoe Federation Luis Rabaneda, responsible for Olympic disciplines, were in attendance. The uniqueness of this beautiful location was emphasised by all three individuals. It is not a familiar spot for major canoeing events, making it even more captivating. They mentioned how holding a competition of this calibre in such a precious environment, like an Alpine lake, adds further value to canoeing’s natural inclination as a sustainable sport closely tied to water – which is now more critical than ever.

Vice President of the ICF, Luis Rabaneda, urged athletes to share their canoeing experience on social media to promote the sport and showcase the beauty of these locations. Auronzo has already started benefiting from the promotion as athletes have shared photos and videos of the resort and World Championships on their social networks for days.

The national teams followed the planned route of the Organizing Committee, beginning at Lake Santa Caterina and ending at Piazza Santa Giustina. The procession was led by the Banner of the Municipality of Auronzo, carried by local police, followed by young valley girls in traditional Cadore costume and the Group of Flag-wavers of the City of Feltre. During the event, various nations were represented including Ukraine, Iran’s women’s national team, and the presence of China and Taiwan/Taipei. The event concluded with a performance of the Mameli hymn by Lieta Naccari and a show by violinist Filippo Rolando, which led to a fun, impromptu dance by the athletes.

Starting tomorrow, the races will begin promptly at 9:00 and will be available for live streaming on the Recast web platform’s Planet Canoe channel.