Madagascar is hosting the eleventh edition of the Indian Ocean Island Games from August 24 to September 3, 2023. The official opening ceremony is celebrated this Friday, August 25 at the Barea stadium in Antananarivo, in the presence of the various hosts including several authorities. The Olympic flame had already arrived there on Saturday August 12 and transported to all the provinces of the big island before being brought back to the capital for the official opening.
Vatican News
Two football matches were played Thursday, August 24, 2023, before the official opening of the 11th edition of the Indian Ocean Region Island Games this Friday, August 25 at Barea Stadium, in the Malagasy capital Antananarivo.
The Indian Ocean Islands Games (JIOI) is a multi-sport competition where athletes from the southwestern Indian Ocean islands meet: Mauritius, Seychelles, Union of Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte , Reunion Island and the Maldives.
The Indian Ocean Island Games, an idea born more than 50 years ago
The idea of organizing sports games in the Indian Ocean was born in 1971 on the island of Reunion. Taken over by the Regional Olympic and Sports Committee of Réunion (CROS), the initiative materialized with a convention in 1974; presented and accepted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1976. These island games are held every four years and every island participates. The first edition took place in Reunion in 1979. This is the third time for Madagascar to host (JIOI).
Union, strength for athletes in the Indian Ocean
More than 4,000 participants from all the islands of the Indian Ocean are expected at this competition. Madagascar alone has a total of 485 athletes, in addition to coaches and committee members. Several disciplines have been selected for this 11th edition such as athletics, disabled sports, basketball, football, badminton, boxing, cycling, table tennis, weightlifting, handball, judo, rugby , swimming, pétanque, etc… Three-way basketball will be new for this year.
The Olympic Flame
Long before the official opening on August 25, the Olympic flame arrived on the Big Island on Saturday August 12, said the LINFO.RE news site. The flame welcoming ceremony took place in Antsiranana in the North of Madagascar, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Andry Rajoelina. Since that day, she has traveled through the six provinces of Madagascar before landing in Antananarivo for the official opening ceremony. A symbol of unity and peace, this flame originates from Greek mythology. In the context of the Games, it makes the link between the ancient Games and the modern Games. For modern games, the Olympic flame is a manifestation of the positive values that man has always associated with the symbolism of fire, said the International Olympic Committee. It is lit long before the opening of the Olympic Games and travels from place to place until the opening ceremony. The objective is to transmit a message of peace and friendship to the public or at least between the participants of the games. The last torchbearer enters the place where the opening ceremony is taking place and lights the cauldron with the Olympic flame to mark the start of the games.
This year, the Island Games will be among the most significant sporting and cultural events in Madagascar and promise to be a great moment for the entire Indian Ocean delegation and also a sign of unity and solidarity for the Malagasy who welcome them.
2023-08-25 15:36:28
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