Third Winter Military World Games start in Sochi

The third Winter Military World Games will start today in Russia's Sochi, the statement published on the International Military Sports Council (CISM) website says.

"The 3rd CISM Winter Military World Games will be held in Sochi (RUS) from 22 to 28th February 2017," the CISM said in a statement.

This year, more than thousand athletes from 26 states are expected to participate in the event. Forty four sets of medals will be awarded. The athletic program includes seven sport disciplines, which are biathlon, skiing races, alpine skiing, ski orienteering, ski mountaineering, indoor sport climbing and short track skating.

More than 600 media representatives will work in four press centers on the main competition venues: the Bolshoi Stadium, the Roza Khutor ski complex, the Laura ski and biathlon complex and the Iceberg Stadium.

On February 22-27, the square near the town hall of the Roza Khutor resort will hold concerts, contests, performances by famous DJs, autograph sessions, flash mobs and animation programs for children.

Sochi residents and guests of the resort will be able to watch the games for free. The Sochi authorities have organized additional bus service and increased operation hours of public transport.

The event is held every four years, one year before the Winter Olympic Games are organized. In 2010 the games were held in Italy, while in 2013 they took place in France.