The third European Universities Games Zagreb – Rijeka 2016 have been officially opened at the packed Mladost Stadium in Zagreb on July 13 in the evening with a fantastic opening ceremony!

Colours, images and sounds all combined into a spectacle which served as an introduction to all the excitement which awaits us in the next two weeks in Zagreb and Rijeka. A mixture of the traditional and the modern which represented the host cities and the Games in the best light possible, the athletes’ parade which was cheerful despite the rain, hundreds of welcome messages which perfectly grasped how significant this event is. There were a lot of dancing, singing and fun in those two hours; it was a truly ceremonial introduction, and its main message was revealed in the end – the Games can begin!



The ceremony, broadcast live on national TV (HRT), started with an introduction of host cities and the performance of the official song of the Games – As long as heart believes. The anthem describes the synergy of faith and hard work, which explains its popularity among the athletes who came to the Games. It is not easy to study and achieve good sporting results at the same time, and the very fact that they are participating makes all student athletes at the Games champions of hard work, faith and knowledge.



A parade of this year’s participants ensued; the participants and the organizers of the 1987 Universiade carried the flag of the European University Sports Association - EUSA, passing it to the second group, consisting of several Croatian trophy-winning athletes.



Over five thousand participants walked the athletic track at Mladost Stadium, entering the track in alphabetical order by the name of the country and universities they represent. The hosts walked in at the end – Croatian students came from 16 universities from Zagreb, Osijek, Karlovac, Rijeka, Split, Pula, Vukovar and Dubrovnik.



This year’s mascot, Hrki the Hamster, was introduced as well. The concept of Hrki was based on the famous saying by the founder of the modern Olympic Games, the baron Pierre de Coubertin – it’s important to participate! Although Hrki is not athletically built, that doesn’t prevent him or her from playing sports. Hamsters like to run above all else, while the 9-meter hamster world sprint record at 9-meter dash is 38 seconds!



Before the oaths were taken, the attendees were addressed by the president of the European Universities Games Zagreb – Rijeka 2016 Mr Zrinko Custonja, the Rector of the University of Zagreb Mr Damir Boras, the President of the European University Sports Associationn Mr Adam Roczek and the Croatian Prime Minister Mr Tihomir Oreskovic. EUSA President Mr Roczek recalled the famous Universiade in 1987 and thanked the organizers of the Games in Zagreb and Rijeka. He also expressed his gratitude to the Organising Committee and its chairman, praising the enthusiasm and work ethic. He did not forget to thank the volunteers as well, who had welcomed everyone with smiles on their faces.



At the very end of the ceremony, the Games were opened by the Prime Minister of Croatia Mr Oreskovic. In his speech he thanked the organizers, emphasizing the importance of this sporting event, the largest since the Croatian independence. He expressed his confidence that Croatia would be a great host to the thousands of students who came to the Games, just as it was a great host during the 1987 Zagreb Universiade.



In the end, contestants and referees took their oaths and the EUSA flag was hoisted upon the performance of Gaudeamus Igitur, the international students anthem which is also the official anthem of EUSA.



Before the Opening ceremony, a special EUSA reception was held for the EUSA guests and partners, as well as representatives of the national university sports associations who are present at the Games in Zagreb and Rijeka. At the reception EUSA President Mr Roczek thanked all the guests for their attendance and cooperation, especially thanked the Organising Committee and invited the President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Mr Oleg Matytsin to address the participants, also mentioning the strong legacy of the Summer Universiade from 1987.



Over the next two weeks, almost 900 university teams from all over Europe will compete in 21 sports: Badminton, Basketball, Basketball 3x3, Beach Volleyball, Bridge, Chess, Football, Futsal, Golf, Handball, Judo, Karate, Rowing, Rugby 7's, Sport Climbing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis and Volleyball, with Swimming and Water Polo as demonstrative sports. For the first time in the history of the European Universities Games, students with disabilities, but with a strong sporting spirit, will compete as well: 18 teams will take part in the para swimming competition and 5 teams will compete in para table tennis.

You are very welcome to visit the sports venues, check out the official website www.eug2016.com or follow the event through social media #eug2016.