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Let the Children’s Games begin

Local student-athletes march in the opening ceremony of the 2019 Lake Placid International Children’s Winter Games at the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena in January. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

LAKE PLACID — Monday night saw the start of the 2019 International Children’s Games in Lake Placid, the first time the games were ever held here.

For the next three days, more than 400 student-athletes from 33 different cities in 14 different countries will compete in a variety of winter sports such as hockey, speed skating, skiing, snowboarding and more.

Unlike the 2023 World Winter University Games, which is not only a big sporting event but also expected to be a driver for the economy, the mission of the ICG is to spread worldly culture and create friendships among young people.

During the opening ceremony, Lake Placid Mayor Craig Randall addressed an arena full of kids from the U.S., Canada, Switzerland, Estonia, Hungary and many other nations, saying “You serve as a channel for world peace.”

When the athletes aren’t competing, they’re bonding over games of foosball, “Call of Duty” and ga-ga ball, which is like an Israeli version of dodgeball.

Student-athletes from Saanen, Switzerland march during the opening ceremony of the 2019 International Children’s Games. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

The flame, which signified the opening of the ICG, was passed among athletes from every nation, and the cauldron was ultimately lit by hometown biathlete Max Flanigan.

Randall ended his speech with the slogan of this year’s games: “Friendship and sport move mountains.”

Student-athletes from the most recent city to host the Winter International Children’s Games, Innsbruck, Austria, carry the flag for the games during the opening ceremony at the Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid Monday night. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

Student athletes from multiple nations attend the opening ceremony of the 2019 International Children’s Games at the Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid Monday night. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

Lincoln Norfolk welcomes athletes, delegates and spectators to the 2019 International Children’s Game during the opening ceremony at the Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid Monday night. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

Members of the Throw2Catch circus group perform comedic stunts during the opening ceremony of the 2019 International Children’s Games. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

From left, International Children’s Games competitors Abby Okes, Makayla Kenney, Karoleena Goodjohn and Alanna Main of Canada play foosball at the Conference Center in Lake Placid Monday. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

Mallory Mackesy, left, and Carly Sardine play the video game “Call of Duty” during down time at the International Children’s Winter Games, in which they were competitors, on Jan. 7 at the Conference Center in Lake Placid. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

Lake Placid’s Max Flanigan lights the flame to signify the start of the 2019 International Children’s Games in Lake Placid at the Herb Brooks Arena Monday night. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

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