E.ON IBU World Cup Biathlon

More than five thousand spectators found themselves in a winter fairytale during the solemn opening ceremony of the World Cup Biathlon Final in Khanty-Mansyisk on the 14^th of March.

March, 14 is the day when the long-expected sports event opened – the World Cup Biathlon Final started. The ceremony caused quite a stir among the residents and the guests of the Ugra’s capital. The Entertainment Center “Arena-Ugra” seated 5.5 thousand of spectators.

The light went off and the guests found themselves into a mysterious winter fairytale. The first to attract the attention was the symbol of strength, speed and stamina – a deer with flame-coloured eyes.

The dancing groups demonstrated all the harmony of the Siberian nature and its inseparable links with the swift sport.

The special links between the Autonomous Okrug and biathlon was mentioned by the Ugra’s Governor Natalya Komarova. “For the 7^th time welcome the best biathletes of the world. It means that Khanty-Mansiysk can be called a world biathlon capital by right”- she added.

Anders Besseberg, the IBU president, said that the forthcoming competition days will be full of unforgettable impressions and announced the World Cup Biathlon Final beginning.

The honour to raise the IBU flag was given to the Russian national team members Evgeny Ustyugov, Evgeny Garanichev, Andrey Makoveev, Dmitry Malyshko and Anton Shipulin. Charming Svetlana Sleptsova joined to the men’s group.

The spectators came back again into the magic world of the sports…

The trapeze artists, figure skaters and art groups let the residents and the guests of Khanty-Mansyisk see grace and power of winter sports.

Sure enough all the magic world was “dressed” with the local culture exoticism. “It’s nice that at the opening ceremony the culture of the indigenous people of the North wasn’t forgotten, said one of the spectators, – I liked the performance of the dancing group, which presented the Ugric people traditions”.

The biathletes were also pleased! Hope, such a spectacular and warm reception encouraged them before the forthcoming competitions.

Tamila Musaeva

This post is also available in: Russian