A ceremony to remember
AWG opening kicks-off week of new friends and new money
Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, March 26, 2014
FAIRBANKS, ALASKA
Team Nunavut's 279 members stood proud among the more than 2,000 participants, 4,000 fans, and hundreds of volunteers who packed the Carlson Center in Fairbanks, Alaska, to open the 23rd Arctic Winter Games (AWG) on March 17.
Fabien Tatty Jr. of Rankin Inlet, right, tries to beat the NWT's Emil Balasanyan to the ball during a 51 Nunavut loss at the Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks, Alaska, this past week.
- Casey Lessard/NNSL photo |
The opening ceremonies are an incredible experience the young athletes treasure for many years following the event.
"It was awesome," said soccer player Fabien Tatty Jr. of Rankin Inlet. "I had a great time."
"It's a once in a lifetime thing and really fun," added Alayna Ningeongan of Rankin, who was attending her second games.
As with the athletes, coaches, officials and other participants, the host society was happy to see years of planning come to fruition.
"It was a very smooth rollout," said host society president Jeff Jacobson.
Tatty said unusually mild weather had many of Nunavut's athletes sweating as the games got underway.
"It's a little hot compared to Rankin Inlet.
"But it's nice. A nice view and nice weather."
Jacobson said good weather is one of the keys to hosting a successful games.
"I was hoping for continued great weather, very few accidents and injuries, and that people have a great time as participants and as visitors to Alaska," he said.
A big part of the games experience for athletes is meeting other young people from across the circumpolar North.
"I like the opening ceremonies because you get to see the outfits and what to trade at the end," said Ningeongan, who was hoping to trade her Team Nunavut jacket.
"I like the Greenland jackets," she said.
Jacobson said he also received positive feedback on another type of trading.
He said the Fairbanks business community was being impacted positively at a time when it needed the economic boost.
"I spoke, personally, to several business owners, and they're very pleased with how the games affected their bottom lines."
