麻豆社区

FAIRBANKS 鈥� The North始s largest multi-sport tournament got off to a roaring start in Fairbanks, Sunday night.

The opening ceremonies for the 2014 Arctic Winter Games dazzled with lights, musical performances, and plenty of flag-waving patriotism inside a jam-packed Carlson Center.

A total of 1,935 athletes from nine different jurisdictions across the Arctic 鈥� including 260 from the Yukon 鈥� paraded into the arena waving flags and holding up banners emblazoned with team cheers and slogans.

Host Team Alaska was the final team to be introduced 鈥� to near-deafening decibels.

Speedskater Shea Hoffman was given the honour of carrying the Yukon flag, while female hockey player Chyanne Spenner held the placard bearing the territory始s name.

Dignitaries including Alaska Governor Sean Parnell and Senator Lisa Murkowski welcomed the athletes to Fairbanks during the ceremonies.

"When you eat this first day or two, you始re going to be eating in teams,鈥� Parnell told the athletes. "But by the end of the week, you始re going to be eating together. It始s just like life. Compete well, friend well, and lead us well 20 and 30 years from now when you始re leading your state, your provinces, your countries.鈥�

One of the program始s highlights was a performance by the Anchorage breakdance group, Illaska Assassins.

The ceremony ended with former AWG athletes, U.S. speedskater Liam Ortega and former Olympic cross-country skier Aelin Allegood, lighting the Games torch outside the arena.

"Let the Games begin,鈥� said Arctic Winter Games International Committee vice president Wendell Schiffler.

This year's Team Yukon includes athletes and cultural participants ranging in age from 10 to 31 years old. Ten communities are represented, and the territory will see competitors in 20 different events including the Dene Games and Arctic Sports.

"We wish the very best to all of the athletes and cultural participants at the 2014 Games,鈥� Yukon Minister of Community Services Brad Cathers said in a statement today. "It is an opportunity to showcase your skills on an international stage, and we are very proud of all of the youth representing Yukon.

"These Games are not just about competition,鈥� Cathers added. "They provide a valuable opportunity for our youth to meet their counterparts from seven different circumpolar nations and embrace a collective northern culture.鈥�

Team Yukon is supported by a wide range of people, from family and coaches to the many volunteers and staff at Sport Yukon and the Sport and Recreation branch.

"I'd like to thank the network of support that helps give these athletes and cultural participants the opportunity to experience this unforgettable event,鈥� Chef de Mission Tracey Bilsky said.

This year始s Games mark the 23rd time the biennial celebration of sports and culture has been held in the North.

The Arctic Winter Games date back to an idea sparked in 1967 by then-Yukon commissioner James Shaw and his N.W.T. counterpart, Steward Hodgson.

After watching the North struggle through another Canada Winter Games, the two convinced Alaskan governor Walter Hickel to help them create the Arctic Winter Games, with the goal of giving athletes an appropriate level of competition.

The first Arctic Winter Games were held in Yellowknife in 1970.

The Games have been held every two years since, and now include representation from Yukon, Alaska, Northern Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Greenland, Nunavik, and the three Russian provinces of Magadan, Sami and Yamai.

Sports included in this year始s Games include: alpine skiing, Arctic Sports (Native games), badminton, basketball, biathlon ski and snowshoe, curling, Dene Games, dog mushing, figure skating, hockey, soccer, snowboarding, snowshoeing, speed skating, table tennis, volleyball and wrestling.