The festive opening ceremonies of the 17^th  Summer Biathlon World Championships took place on September 19^th at the sports complex “Biathlon.” Ufa greeted the participants and guests with warm and sunny weather. Around 3000 fans came to the opening ceremonies and were witnesses to an unforgettable show. Spectators saw a mass national dance, reflecting the way of life and customs of the Bashkir people. Next, children appeared on the impromptu stage, wearing the national costumes of the different ethnic populations of Bashkortostan. The children constructed a puzzle from little pieces in the shape of the logo of the championships. A boy and girl walked out from the center of the puzzle and released 2 white doves into the sky. At that same moment, 100 doves were released, causing great delight in the stands. The ceremony continued with a parade of the competing teams and performances by gymnasts, acrobats, and others. And don’t forget about the mascot of the championship- The friendly little wolf Uffy was presented to the fans.

Next up were the participants of the competition and the honored guests: The Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Volga Federal Region, Mikhail Viktorovich Babich, the President of the Republic of Bashkortostan Rustem Zakievich Khamitov, the first Vice-President of the IBU and executive director of the Union of Russian Biathletes Sergey Valentinovich Kushchenko. First, Mikhail Babich greeted everyone gathered at the sports complex on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. Next, Rustem Khamitov congratulated all of the participants and guests on the start of the championships.

“Dear Friends! I congratulate you on the start of this wonderful championship. This championship is the starting point for a series of major international competitions in Ufa. In December there will be the World Hockey Juniors Championship and then in February the Children’s Winter Games. We, the organizers did everything to make sure that this championship was undertaken at the highest level: we renovated the sport complex, trained great athletes, and even made sure there was good weather. I wish the Russian team a decisive victory and for the other participants a good, fair competition and to have an enjoyable time.”

Sergey Kushchenko, on behalf of the IBU and Biathletes’ Union of Russia wished for the athletes to have a great competition and an illustrious victory.

The ceremony concluded with the raising of the IBU flag, the lighting of the championship flame, and the performance of the anthems of Russia and Bashkortostan.