In the afternoon, in front of an audience of about 20.000 spectators and in the presence of the Russian Minister of Defense and Minister of Sport, the official opening ceremony of the III edition of the Winter Military World Games organized by the Russian Federation in Sochi, under the auspices of International Council of Military Sport (CISM). In the splendid setting of the stadium, the traditional parade of delegations from the States participating in the Games took place.
The first day of competitions saw the financier chosen Arianna Fontana win the first gold medal for Italy in the individual women's competition of Short Track 500 meters.
In ski mountaineering, the silver medal went, in the respective male and female categories, to the chosen caporal major Manfred Reichegger and to the chosen corporal Gloriana Pellissier, both of the Army. The first medal won today was the bronze medal in Nordic skiing by the financier Francesca Baudin.
Until 28 February, the Italian representative made up of 20 Army units and 9 of the Carabinieri Corps will compete in the disciplines of biathlon, Nordic skiing, alpine skiing, orienteering, climbing, short track and ski mountaineering.
