Youth Olympic Games: opening ceremony a night of selfies

By Teddy Nakanjako in Nanjing, China

Events for Ugandan participants

• Badminton

• Rowing 

• Table Tennis

“Dear young athletes, these are your Games. This is your moment. So, young athletes, please join me: Let us all capture it – so get your smart phones out and let’s set a record for selfies!”

These were the words that concluded the remarks of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games at the Nanjing Sports Centre Stadium Saturday night. 

With this announcement, the whole stadium went into flashes as athletes, officials, volunteers and spectators took selfies to spread the gospel of the memorable day in Nanjing China. 

The ceremony started with performances from participants as young as five years and was followed by the hoisting of the Chinese flag and later the parading of the NOC’s flags of which the Ugandan flag was paraded by team captain Daniel Ssebunnya, smartly dressed in Uganda’s iconic tunic (kanzu).
 

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Not even the rain could stop the young performers and athletes from enjoying the ceremony as they danced to ‘Light Up to Meet the Future’, the theme of the night song. 

This marked the beginning of the 13 days of competition in different sports by the youths from 204 nations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping officially opened the games. UN secretary General Ban Ki moon and IOC Honorary President Jacques Rogge also attended the colourful event.

Share the Games, Share our Dreams is the slogan for this year’s Games that will run up to August 28.
 

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The Olympic flame burns during the opening
 

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An Afghanistan's athlete takes part in the opening ceremony
 

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International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach (2-L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (3-L) look at each other as their respective wives Claudia Bach (L) and Peng Liyuan (R) stand beside them
 

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More than 3,700 competitors aged 15 to 18 are expected to participate in the games
 

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