FX.co ★ Military World Games finish in Sochi

The Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2017 Winter Military World Games took place on Friday, February 24. The Games were held until Tuesday, February 28. More than 400 military athletes from 26 countries competed in seven disciplines. Among the competitors there were China, Germany, Italy, France, and Iran.

Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev was present at the opening ceremony along with Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and the CISM President, Colonel Abdul Hakeem Al Shino.

Military Games also included non-Olympic sports, such as ski mountaineering, short track, and others. Participants competed in climbing, which will enter the Olympic program only in 2020.

Honor to open the third Winter World Military Games was awarded to the drummers of the Moscow Military Music School and the Russian Defense Ministry's boarding school for girls. The celebration was continued by the Academic Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Russian Army named after A. V. Alexandrov, the lineup of which was completely changed after the artists died in a plane crash in Sochi in December 2016.

The event was held at four locations: the Iceberg Skating Palace, the Bolshoy Ice Dome, the Laura Biathlon & Ski Complex, and the Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort. Athletes from 26 nations competed in seven disciplines, including ski mountaineering, sport climbing, cross country skiing, alpine skiing, biathlon, short track speed skating, and ski orienteering. The entrance to all competitions of the World Military Games was free.