ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah today hailed the unifying force of the Olympic Games following the final national flags being officially raised at the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro marking the coming together of 205 nations around the world. A total of 205 nations have sent Olympic teams to Rio 2016 more than at any previous Olympic Games, following the inclusion of teams from Kosovo and South Sudan for the very first time.
More than 11,000 athletes from 205 NOCS will also be joined by 10 refugee athletes on the refugee Olympic team – an initiative of the IOC to raise awareness of the refugee crisis and inspire hope around the world.
Speaking ahead of the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony, ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said:
"Seeing all the flags raised in the Olympic Village is a reminder of the truly unifying force of the Olympic Games. We want as many NOCs as possible to be represented at every Olympic Games and we are delighted that here in Rio de Janeiro more countries than ever before will come together in the pursuit of their Olympic dreams. Athletes from more than 200 countries will live and eat together over the next two weeks in one of the clearest examples of the Olympic spirit of solidarity and respect.
"Like everyone around the world we cannot wait for the Games to begin. Brazil is a country that is known globally for its energy and vibrancy and I have no doubt that Rio 2016 will deliver an incredibly memorable Games set against an iconic backdrop and carnival atmosphere. I would like to join IOC President Bach in thanking the Rio 2016 Organising Committee for all their hard work and the NOCs and IFs for their great contributions. The Olympic Games will be an opportunity to remind everyone why we are here: to celebrate sport and Olympism and promote the Olympic Values through our athletes."
ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg added:
"NOCs around the world have been working very hard over the last four years to prepare their teams for the Games and now we are here we can look forward to two weeks of exciting sporting competition. As the ANOC representative on the Rio 2016 Coordination Commission I have tried to ensure that the voice of the NOCs has been heard throughout the preparations for the Games and their interests have always been represented. We will continue to support NOCs and their athletes in any way we can right up until the Closing Ceremony to ensure that they can compete at their very best here in Rio"
Athlete and NOC achievements will also be celebrated during the ANOC Awards 2016 in Doha, Qatar
on 15 November 2016.
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