Athletes bearing the flags of 50 nations took part in the Opening Ceremony of the third ISSF Junior World Championships which will get competitively underway today (September 28).
A total of 536 athletes are due to take part in rifle, pistol and shotgun events in a competition that runs at the Las Palmas Shooting Range until October 6.
The ceremony was presided over the by the Peruvian Institute of Sport (IPD) President Federico Tong Hurtado, ISSF Vice President John Hansen, technical delegate of JWCH Lima 2024 Rafael Guerra and the PDTE of the National Shooting Sports Federation (FDNTP), Francisco Boza Dibos.
Also present along with the athletes and judges were Congressman Alejandro Cavero, representatives of the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) and SUCAMEC.
“It’s an honour to be here,” said Boza Dibos, chairman of the JWCH Lima 2024 Organising Committee.
“This would not be possible without the help of all the institutions involved in these sporting events such as the government, ISSF, IPD and most importantly, the athletes.
“In the last six years we have organised more than 10 international championships - two World Championships, World Cups - and the cycle continues for the future,.
“Our country is running with 15 young shooters. They know what they need to do and we trust they will improve their personal brands.
“The level in this tournament is very high - here could be future Olympic medallists. Let's remember that several of the junior world shooting champions of the 2021 event that we organised managed to become Olympic medallists at Paris 2024.
“That speaks a lot about what awaits us in this tournament.”
Hansen highlighted the work done by the Organising Committee: "We thank all the delegations from each country for being present here,” he said.
“To the Organising Committee, led by 'Pancho' Boza and his federation team, thanks for the great work done. A great World Championship awaits us in Lima.
“I also want to take this opportunity to say to each participating delegation that, despite of all that may be happening in the world, we must remain united. Unite and enjoy this sports party.”
Athletes and officials were treated to a colourful display of local dancing and music as part of the Ceremony.
The opening day will see the finals take place in the men’s and women’s 10m air pistol events.
The Championships involve a variety of both Olympic and non-Olympic events in rifle, pistol and shotgun, with individual and team events.
Lima hosted the first of these stand-alone Championships in 2021, with the second staging taking place in Changwon last year.
India topped the medals table in Lima three years ago. In Changwon last year China won most medals – 28, including 12 golds - with India second on 17, including six golds, followed by Ukraine and Kazakhstan on 10.
This year, however, India appears poised to resume its pre-eminence as it fields 60 athletes in Lima - ten times as many as China.