2008 WUC Orienteering: Opening Ceremony
July 29th, 2008
The XVIth World University Orienteering Championships are opened! The Opening Ceremony was held on Tartu Town Hall Square. Athletes were welcomed by Mr Meelis Atonen, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the WUOC 2008, Dr. Verena Burk, FISU Assessor and folk-rock-punk music band Zetod, performing Estonian traditional music with a modern touch. The Opening Ceremony began with the parade of the national teams. A long and colourful train of students walked from the hotel to the Tartu Town Hall Square, where the Ceremony was held. After welcoming speeches Mayor of Tartu Mr Urmas Kruuse declared the Championships open, the FISU flag was raised and the show began.
FISU Assessor Verena Burk
“It was a perfect start for a wonderful week of competition, but also friendly hosting. Opening was perfect, short and filled with a nice atmosphere. I hope, that everybody will remember not only the competition, but also the kind hospitality of the Estonian organisers and the city of Tartu” said Dr. Verena Burk, FISU Assessor. “In many ways Tartu is a capital of Estonia. Tartu is definitely the capital of students and the capital of orienteering. Therefore the XVIth World University Orienteering Championships could not be held in a better place” said Mr Meelis Atonen, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the WUOC 2008.
28 national teams are accredited to the Championships, 3 teams with the maximum number of athletes – 6 men and 6 women. More than 240 students will be competing in the hills of South Estonia over the next four days. The first competition day is tomorrow – sprint distance. The track is mainly in town, one part of the terrain is park area on the ancient riverbank of Emajõgi. Since the competition will be in the outskirts of the town, it will be very easy for the public to follow the competition. The Championships are organised by the Estonian Academic Sports Federation, OC Põlva Kobras and Estonian Orienteering Federation. Official website of the Championships can be found at www.easl.ee/wuoc2008 and includes programme details, lists of national teams, start- and finish protocols and information on event locations.
