Pacific Games open with a bang

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has officially declared the 14th Pacific Games open.

Saturday's opening, held in front of 2,000 spectators at the Stade Numa Daly in Noumea, saw more than 4,000 athletes and officials takepart in a colorful event.

A fireworks display, traditional dances from New Caledonian volunteers, lighting of the Games torch, and parade of the 22 participating nations were some of the highlights in the opening rites where President Sakorzy served as the guest of honor.

New Caledonia tennis star Nicola N'Godrela and swimmer Lara Grangeon carried the Tricolor and the Kanak flags for the home team.

According to the Pacific Islands News Association, Sarkozy was commended the President of the Organising Committee of the Games, Pascale Bastien-Thiry.

Bastien-Thiry stated "we are very very happy because all people were there, the 22 countries of the Games were here, it was a very warm atmosphere and the President of the Republic was there to open the Games so we are very very proud and very honoured with that, we are all happy.

"We are very proud because we didn't hope so much for our Pacific Games and for New Caledonia, so for all of us it's extraordinary.

"We have visibility in all the world."

The Games' opening ceremonies were televised live in the French Television network.

Meanwhile, after the opening, participants took a break yesterday and competition in the quadrennial event starting today (Monday).

President Sarkozy's visit to New Caledonia is his first and will see him discuss plans for the territory as it moves towards greater independence from France with the country's political leaders.

Preparations for the 14th Pacific Games were featured in the July/August issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

Image: French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Noumea at the weekend.

22nd July 2011 - FRENCH PRESIDENT SARKOZY TO OPEN PACIFIC GAMES IN NOUMEA 

3rd September 2010 - 12 MONTH COUNTDOWN TO 14TH PACIFIC GAMES