Opening Ceremony of the first CISM Women's World Football Cup in Rennes (FRA)

RENNES – On April 25 at 5.00 p.m., on the Parlement de Bretagne Square in Rennes, the Opening Ceremony of the first CISM Women's Football World Cup took place in front of an large audience composed of, among others, several authorities including the Prefect Christian Mirmand, General Saint Chamas, Commander of the earth region North-West, Nathalie Appéré, the mayor of Rennes, Mr. Yvon Leziart, sports assistant and the official representative of CISM General Biro Conde.  

The Opening Ceremony started with the Foreign Legion anthem and a detachment of the famous school of Saint Cyr brought honor to the national teams which will meet on the football fields today, April 26.

All the players had the opportunity to discover and the pictures of the Cup which was displayed in the middle of the Square in front of the players.

The more formal part ended up with speeches of the authorities in attendance. The World Football Cup was then officially open and both CISM and French flags were raised.

The surprise came then from the sky with the passage of the “Patrouille de France” over the place whit a release of blue, white and red smokes.

The anecdote of this Opening Ceremony was undoubtedly the presence of a Korean-legionnaire who, once the hymns were performed, hasted to encourage the athletes of the Land of Morning Calm who were obviously surprised to see one of their compatriots in a French uniform.

The ceremony closed with a cocktail offered by the city of Rennes.

Today, April 25, the first games of this Football World Cup will be launched.

(Source: WO Dominique Einsweiler)

(Pictures: WO Dominique Einsweiler & Mr. Maxime Morlet)