World descends on Erzurum for universiade games

The 25th Winter Universiade Games kicked off in the eastern province of Erzurum on Thursday with an official ceremony. President Abdullah Gul, Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin, and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the inauguration of the games at Cemal Gursel Stadium. In opening remarks at the ceremony, Gul said that he was glad to see Erzurum hosting such an important event. "It is a great success for Turkey for such an event to take place in Erzurum, the gateway to the East," Gul said, adding that sports promote peace and friendship. Nearly 3,000 athletes from 58 countries, including over 150 Turkish athletes, will compete in the games in 11 areas: Alpine skiing, biathlon, ice hockey, curling, ski jumping, cross country, Nordic combined, snowboard, freestyle skiing, figure skating and short track.