JERSEY’S Jeux des Iles team enjoyed a colourful, if chaotic, opening ceremony of the Games in the centre of Bastia, Corsica, yesterday.
With nearly 2,000 competitors in a lively procession, the 23 teams taking part in these Youth Games for islands walked around in front of hundreds of spectators, the spectacle taking place in front of a backdrop of mountains.
In high temperatures but with cooling cloud cover they enjoyed the welcome from the crowds followed by speeches and a musical piece in which local children and costumed characters participated.
The president of COJI, the governing body, officially declared the Games open before the flame was lit ahead of five days of competition.
Jersey’s swimming team remained in Bastia for their events which start this afternoon and hopefully they will be fully prepared after having to train in the sea and a small pool nearby as no training pool was available at their accommodation.
The rugby sevens team, competing at their first Jeux des Iles in a demonstration sport slot, had a short journey to their location in Monticello where they beat Martinique 34-5 this morning.
The rest of the teams, athletics, sailing, tennis, gymnastics and table tennis, travelled overnight on a large boat to Ajaccio with the boys’ tennis team set to compete this afternoon - all other sports commence tomorrow.
Article posted on 22nd May, 2007 - 12.00am
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