The third Shotgun Stage of this year's ISSF World Cup Series has been officially opened in Larnaca, Cyprus, yesterday evening.
The competition will run from the 26th of April right through the 3rd of May, and will be held at the Larnaca Olympic Shooting Range.
490 athletes coming from 77 countries are participating in the event, competing in the five Olympic events of Trap, Double Trap and Skeet shotgun shooting. The best shooters of the world arrived here in Cyprus, as ten Olympic Quota Places - the qualification slots for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro - are up for grabs during this competition.
Speaking at the opening ceremony at the presence of the Minister of Justice and Public Order of Cyprus Ionas Nicolaou, of the President of the Cypriot Olympic Committee Ouranios Ioannides and of the President of the Cyprus Sport Organization Klea Papaellina, the ISSF President Olegario Vazquez Raña said: “Dear shooters, officials and coaches, dear friends: welcome to the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Larnaca. I am very happy to be in this beautiful island. I would like to thank the Organizing Committee for their excellent work in the preparation of this event, we are very happy to hear that athletes from 77 countries and five continents arrived here in Cyprus to participate in the third shotgun stage of this year's ISSF World Cup Series.”
“I would like to thank the Cyprus Shooting Sport Federation and Cypriot authorities for their kind and warm welcome.” The ISSF President continued. “A specially thank goes the President of Cypriot National Olympic Committee Mr. Ioannides for his support to the Shooting Sport, and to the President of the Cyprus Shooting Sport Federation Demetris Lordos for his hard work and dedication.”
“I wish all the athlete good luck and success, as I declare this competition officially opened!” The ISSF President concluded.
The Cyprus Shooting Sport Federation's President Demetris Lordos said: “It is with great happiness and special emotions that I have the honour to welcome you all in behalf of the board of the Cyprus Shooting Sport Federation and of the Organizing Committee, to the opening ceremony of this 2015 ISSF Shotgun World Cup Stage in Larnaca.”
“I would like to thank the ISSF President Olegario Vazquez Raña and all the ISSF authorities who once more entrusted us to organize such an important international event.” Mr. Lordos continued. “The greatness of this event is proved by the number of participating countries and athletes, creating new records, and showcasing the popularity of Cyprus as a shooting sport location.”
The Major of the Larnaca, Andreas Louroutzeatis, said: “It is a privilege and an honour for Larnaca to host an event of the International Shooting Sport Federation. This is a great success of the Cyprus Shooting Sport Federation: your hard work has payed off, and makes us proud. I would like to welcome all athletes to our city, and I wish you best success in the competition!”
The first medal match, the Skeet Women finals, will take place today, 26th of April, at 17.30 (Cyprus time). The match will be broadcasted live on www.issf-sports.org