World Masters Games 2017 lights up Eden Park with a colourful opening ceremony
celebrating culture, competition and camaraderie in Auckland, New Zealand
AUCKLAND, New Zealand,
April 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Let
the Games begin. New Zealand has
welcomed 28,000 participants to the World Masters Games 2017
filling Auckland's Eden Park with a spine tingling Māori cultural
performance, great Kiwi music and the biggest laser light show ever
seen in the country.
On this calm autumn evening in New
Zealand's most celebrated sports venue, New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English declared the world's largest
multi-sport event open heralding an action-packed 10 days for
25,000 athletes from 100 countries competing in 28 sporting
disciplines.
Dancing lights, fire and drifting smoke, with the occasional
burst of fireworks, brought the colours of the Pacific to life as
waves of colour washed over the stadium, setting the scene for
lyrical, high energy performances by some of New Zealand's top Māori culture
performers.
From the first solitary spiritual tones of the Māori
karanga -- as a lone female voice called the visitors into
'our place' -- to Māori warriors rushing across the hallowed
turf and the beautiful rhythm of Māori song, there was no doubt
that this was a night to remember.
The parade of athletes was its own spectacle as thousands of
competitors made their way down into the stadium, marching together
grouped by sport rather than country in World Masters Games
tradition.
With such a massive influx of visitors in town for the 10-day
event, Auckland -- New Zealand's biggest city -- is noticeably
abuzz with activity in the downtown waterfront precincts.
The event has been four years in the planning and the aim is "to
deliver the best World Masters Games in history," says World
Masters Games 2017 (WMG2017) chief executive Jennah Wootten.
"With 25,000 athletes competing in 28 sports across 48 venues
it's been a massive logistical challenge but we are ready and we
couldn't be more excited as we look forward to the next 10 days,"
Ms Wootten said. "Bring it on!"
Around 75 per cent of participants hail from outside of the host
city and the organisers have promised a warm welcome from locals
who will have free admission as spectators to any of the 48
competition venues.
"Being great hosts and making visitors feel welcome is in our
blood. It's something the city did brilliantly during Rugby World
Cup 2011 where visitors went home raving about their experiences in
our city and country. I'm confident of a repeat performance," Ms
Wootten said.
On Auckland's downtown
waterfront, visitors and locals can mingle at the Queens Wharf
Entertainment Hub which is open every day from Saturday 22
April with free admission to most activities.
"One of the unique attractions of World Masters Games is the
social side of the event, and there is a great history of lifelong
friendships being formed at previous Games," Wootten said. "As the
host city in 2017, Auckland is
embracing that tradition and laying on a feast of culture,
performance, music and food on our waterfront."
Highlights include Toi Ora, a
living gallery, in The Cloud to showcase traditional Māori arts and
culture. There will be music and entertainment day and night
featuring well known New Zealand
artists, the best of New Zealand's
cuisine and beverages, and a Kids' Fun Zone.
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