Opening of the World Nomad Games
On September 9, the opening ceremony of the I World Nomad Games took place at the racetrack in Cholpon-Ata. Well-known Kyrgyz singers performed their numbers in front of the audience. Additionally, a theatrical performance was presented about the history and traditions of nomadic peoples, including the Kyrgyz. About 10,000 people attended the opening ceremony, including delegation members from 17 countries around the world. Approximately 1,000 police officers are monitoring order at the racetrack. The Games will feature 350 athletes from Kyrgyzstan, Austria, Azerbaijan, the USA, Russia, Brazil, Belarus, Germany, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, France, Sweden, and South Korea. The President of Kyrgyzstan, Almazbek Atambayev, also addressed the audience.