17th European sports-recreational games
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The 17th European Sports and Recreation Games have been closed after four days of competitions, by attractive fireworks and splendid shows of Ritmo Loco and Dream Project
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The 17th European Sports and Recreation Games have been closed after four days of competitions, by attractive fireworks and splendid shows of Ritmo Loco and Dream Project. The Games flag, brought to the podium across the square by members of the Organizational Committee, was handed in to the Hamburg delegation, the city that will host the next sports gathering in two year’s time. The flag was given to the subsequent organisers of the Games by Mayor of Rovinj, Giovanni Sponza, who invited all participants to the games, to return to the Town of St Euphemia, this time with their families. He also thanked everybody who contributed to the games being hosted once again in Rovinj, after the event in 1989. He pointed out as well that without the co-organisers – the Tourist Board, Maistra, the Association of Sports and the Sports Recreation Society – just like without over a thousand volunteers, the Games would not have been held, an event that saw the participation of some 4,500 athletes.
On his own behalf, and on behalf of the honorary President Mirko Relac, President of the Croatian Association of Sports Recreation, Vladimir Findak, gave a speech to contestants from 22 European countries, while the honour to close the Games was given to President of European Federation for Company Sport (EFCS), Didiere Besseyre.
Apart from the fact that the Town did everything for athletes – simultaneously the ambassadors of their countries in Rovinj – to feel welcome, some worthy concessions should be pointed out as well. For example, downtown shops extended their working hours in honour of the athletes, and numerous cafes and restaurants followed suit. On the central podium, and from the Great Pier, one could hear some excellent music, the venues where, on the last night of the Festival of Sports and Recreation Games, superb Sax and Misty Band performed.
