The Parade of Nations and the opening ceremony kick off the Bilbao Bizkaia European Championships
BILBAO, 16 Sep. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The Bilbao Bizkaia Multisport Triathlon European Championship celebrated its official start this Friday with the Opening Ceremony and the Parade of Nations, the moment before a competition that will last for 10 days in a territory devoted to this “great triathlon party” .
The giants and txistularis have received the parade, followed by a total of 27 nations in alphabetical order -in English- (Austria starting it and Spain putting the closure) until reaching the Arenal kiosk, where the authorities have received the horrible of a retinue between applause.
As reported by the organizers, the world of triathlon has wanted to join the mourning for the death of the Queen of England and for this reason the English expedition has worn black crepe on its flag during the parade. The English delegation, the largest, paraded “proud and moved by the respect of those present.”
The event began with an ‘aurresku of honour’, which preceded the start of the speeches, where the Biscayan Provincial Deputy for Economic Promotion, Ainara Basurko, thanked all the municipalities of Bizkaia for their involvement and work in hosting the different championships that make up this European multisport and has invited all those present to discover the territory.
Next came the turn of the president of the Spanish Federation, José Hidalgo, who stated that “we are facing a true multi-sports event, inclusive and committed to sustainability” and thanked all the institutions that carry out this project that brings together sport, culture and tradition.
As established by protocol, the turn has come for the most solemn sporting moment when it comes to the Inauguration: the oath. An official (Edu Lakuntza), a coach (Iñaki Arenal) and an athlete (Alfonso Izquierdo) representing the three sports classes, have proceeded to take the oath prior to the development of the European Championship.
Then it was the turn of Chris Kitchen, vice president of the European Triathlon Federation, who has been “delighted” to be able to hold an event like the Triathlon Multisport in a city like Bilbao, to which he has dedicated several compliments. The mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, has been in charge of closing the event with praise for all the institutions and inviting all citizens to experience a “unique” event.
RECEPTION IN THE FORAL PALACE
Before the Opening Ceremony, the Reception was held at the Foral Palace, where the Provincial Deputy for Economic Promotion, Ainara Basurko, and the Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, received the Vice President of the European Triathlon Federation, Chris Kitchen , and the president of the Spanish Federation, José Hidalgo, as well as the rest of the representatives.
Those present went up to the main hall, where the authorities exchanged gifts and exchanged words of courtesy before setting off in a delegation towards the Inauguration Ceremony with which the Bilbao Bizkaia Multisport Triathlon European Championship was launched.