Asian Winter Games gets underway with opening ceremony in Sapporo

The Asian Winter Games was declared officially open in Sapporo on Sunday after a spectacular Opening Ceremony which brought together NOCs from a record breaking 32 different countries in a celebration of winter sport.

Crown Prince Naruhito was joined by OCA President and ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah at the Opening Ceremony which took place at the iconic Sapporo Dome. Athletes from all 32 NOCs, including Australia and New Zealand who are competing as guests at the event for the very first time, entered the arena during the athletes parade.

Thousands of spectators were treated to a series of dance and music performances and a fantastic firework display before Japanese ski jumper Masahiko Harada lit the Sapporo 2017 Flame. The Ceremony concluded with a headline act from Japanese music band Dream Come True much to the delight of the home crowd

The Asian Winter Games will now run through to 26 February and involve around 1,200 athletes competing across five sports, 11 disciplines and 64 events. A total of 12 competition venues will be used – 11 in Sapporo and one in Obihiro, 200km away, for speed skating.

Athletes from Australia and New Zealand will compete only as guests and will not be eligible to win medals.