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Opening Ceremony highlights video

VIP messages - Opening Ceremony

Alicia Coutts video message to our athletes

 

Last night, the Canberra Centenary Swimming Competition officially got underway with a spectacular Opening Ceremony at the Australian Institute of Sport.

 

The event was a fitting celebration for the 400+ athletes from Australia and Japan who are in Canberra to show their talent in the pool.

 

The Opening Ceremony was hosted by Olympic gold medallist, Alicia Coutts and Paralympic gold medallist Michael Milton who gave an outstanding performance and took time out to get to know our athletes.

 

There were also plenty of dignatories taking part in the proceedings including the Hon. Kate Lundy, Minister for Sport who said, ‘I look forward to cheering you on and am very happy and proud to be in your company at tonight’s Opening Ceremony. Be brave, be strong and enjoy every minute of the competition.’

 

As well as Senator Lundy, VIP guests included: Glenn Keys, Chair of the Games Organising Committee; Major General Mick Slater, Board of Special Olympics Australia; Nigel Milan, Board of Special Olympics Australia; and Simon Hollingsworth, CEO of the Australian Sports Commission.

 

A highlight of the official proceedings was the Parade of Athletes where, for the first time at an international competition, athletes walked into the arena wearing their local Special Olympics uniform – the one they wear so proudly during weekly training.

 

Other highlights included the event mascot Filos the Platypus and the lighting of the cauldron, the final part of the Torch Run which saw ACT and NSW police officers carry the Flame of Hope from Parliament House to the National Police Memorial then on to the Australian Institute of Sport.

 

At the end of proceedings a huge crowd of athletes danced away the afternoon before moving on to dinner and bed prior to competition today.