2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games opens in Nanjing

NANJING. KAZINFORM The 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games opened in east China's Nanjing on Saturday evening with more than 3,700 athletes from around the world taking part in.

During the 13-day-competition sports gala, the young athletes aged between 15-18 will compete in 28 sports in arenas and stadiums in Nanjing, the capital city of Jiangsu Province.

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared open of the Games at the ceremony in the modern Olympic Sports Complex, where flags representing 203 National Olympic Committees paraded, Xinhua reports. Among those present at the ceremony are Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, former IOC President Jacques Rogge, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, President of Maldives Abdulla Yameen, President of Singapore Tan Keng Yam, and other foreign guests. "You are showing your passion for sport and for fair competition. You are demonstrating that Olympic sport reaches beyond competition. It is also about sharing, learning and making friends across the globe," said Bach at the opening ceremony. "You are here to enjoy the competitions and to deliver your personal best performance. You are here to experience and promote the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. You are here to celebrate the Olympic spirit. Enjoy your Games! " After the athletes' parade, there was a stellar art performance, a brilliant combination of dazzling light, music and dance, fireworks, and cultural extravaganza. The ceremony reached the climax when Chen Ruolin, an Olympic diving champion coming from Jiangsu Province, lit up the cauldron with an intricate design.