24TH WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES

Bangkok Games begin in glittering ceremony

Some 7,000 athletes start quest for glory

WANCHAI RUJAWONGSANTI

HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn opened the 24th World University Games at Rajamangala National Stadium last night.

''I now declare the 24th Summer World University Games open,'' said the Crown Prince who represented His Majesty the King.

He called on the participants to compete with love and unity and wished the Games went on smoothly.

Thai athletes, including gold medal favourite taekwondo star Yaowapa Burapolchai, took turns to carry the torch around the stadium.

HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, the Crown Prince's daughter who will compete in badminton, lit the cauldron.

Another badminton player Boonsak Ponsana, one of Thailand's best gold medal hopes, read the official oath.

The colourful ceremony featured dances from all regions across the country as well as 40 skydivers carrying flags of the participating countries.

The extravagant opening programme also promoted His Majesty's initiated projects as fireworks lit the night sky.

The 40,000-seat Rajamangala National Stadium was almost fully packed with a large number of spectators wearing yellow shirts in honour of His Majesty the King.

The 24th Universiade is part of the celebrations of His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday on December 5.

The International University Sports Federation (Fisu) will present an honorary declaration to the King tomorrow.

The Thai contingent was the last team to march into the Rajamangala National Stadium last night. — TAWEECHAI TAWATPAKORN

One of the 40 skydivers carrying flags of the participating countries. — TAWEECHAI TAWATPAKORN

The Universiade is for athletes between 17 and 28 and studying for a degree or diploma, or have graduated within the past year.

Some 7,000 athletes from 158 countires are vying for 236 gold medals in 15 sports _ athletics, aquatics (swimming, diving and water polo), basketball, fencing, football, gymnastics, judo, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, badminton, golf, shooting, softball and taekwondo.

The host, who are sending 389 athletes and 189 officials to take part in the tournament, are targeting 10 gold medals.

Their previous best performance was in 2005 when they won one gold, one silver and one bronze.

Danish athletes soak up the atmosphere. — PATTANAPONG HIRUNNARD

The first 15 gold medals to be awarded over the next 10 days will be handed out today.
Thailand could win three gold medals pinning their hopes on the men's and women's 400m relay teams and taekwondo exponent Rapatkorn Prasopsuk in the women's heavyweight division.

''I really want to be Thailand's first medallist of this Games although I am not sure if it would be gold medal,'' said Rapatkorn, a gold medallist at last year's World Cup.

Thailand are the reigning Asian Games champions in the men's 400m relay and the women's team have been one of Asia's best.

The men's squad comprise Wachara Sorndee, Pirom Uthat, Sompote Suwannarangsri and Sitthichai Suworaprateep with Pirom not in the 2006 Asiad side.

The women's quartet are Orranut Klomdee, Sangwan Jaksunin, Jutamas Taworncharoen and Nongnuch Sanrat who won the silver at the 2002 Asian Games.

The Games are being held at several venues in Bangkok and nearby provinces including Thammasat Rangsit, Hua Mark sports complex, Muang Thong Thani and Supachalasai Stadium.
The event ends on August 18.

HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana was the last torch runner and lit the cauldron. — PAWAT LAOPAISARNTAKSIN

Members of the Australian team walk into the stadium. — TAWEECHAI TAWATPAKORN

One of the performances last night. — TAWEECHAI TAWATPAKORN

Today's schedule

Finals only. All events are at Thammasat Rangsit, unless otherwise stated. Heats begin at 09:00
Athletics
06:30 Women's 20km walk (Ayutthaya province)
19:35 Women's 4x100m relay
19:55 Men's 4x100m relay
20:30 Women's 10000m

Badminton
09:00-22:00 Men's and women's teams, preliminary (Thammasat Rangsit)

Basketball
09:00-15:45 Men's and women's preliminary (Thammasat Rangsit, Nimibutr Stadium, Bangkok Youth Centre)

Football
-Men's preliminary
11:00 Canada v Czech (Rajamangala University, Pathum Thani), Malaysia v Russia (Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok), Ukraine v Brazil (Ramkhamhaeng Univerity), Kazakhstan v Mexico (Kasetsart University)
15:00 Ireland v Thailand (Rajamangala University), Uruguay v Japan (Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok), Britain v Morocco (Kasetsart University)
- Women's preliminary
11:00 Germany v Ireland (Supachalasai Stadium), Brazil v New Zealand (Army Stadium), Poland v France (Bangkok University Rangsit)
15:00 Thailand v North Korea (Supachalasai Stadium), Britain v Canada (Army Stadium), South Korea v Japan (Bangkok University Rangsit)
18:15 Russia v Taiwan (Supachalasai Stadium), South Africa v China (Army Stadium)

Gymnastics
14:30-20:00 Artistic gymnastics, women's team final and individual qualifying (Impact Arena)

Swimming
09:30 Heats
17:30 Finals (Thammasat Rangsit)

Taekwondo
09:00-18:00 Men's and women's heavyweight and middleweight, preliminary, semi-finals and finals (Thammasat Rangsit)

Tennis
09:00-15:00 Men's and women's singles and doubles, first round (National Tennis Development Centre)

Volleyball
13:00-17:00 Men's preliminary (Thammasat Rangsit, Bangkok Youth Stadium, Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, Impact Arena)

Credit : www.bangkokpost.com