Pageantry And Politics As World Nomad Games Open In Kyrgyzstan
- By RFE/RL
An unfinished stadium in Bishkek played host to an Olympic-scale opening of the sixth World Nomad Games as world leaders -- barring one notable exception -- networked in the stands.
1
A view from inside the Bishkek Arena, on the western edge of the Kyrgyz capital, during the opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games on August 31.
2
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony.
The World Nomad Games opened as Kyrgyzstan also hosts a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit that has brought more than a dozen foreign leaders to Bishkek.
The World Nomad Games opened as Kyrgyzstan also hosts a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit that has brought more than a dozen foreign leaders to Bishkek.
3
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon (right) embraces his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, during the opening ceremony of the games. On the left is Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
4
A trick rider performs during the opening ceremony.
A reported 30,000 people attended the opening ceremony, with local media reporting sections of the new stadium, which is due to officially open in October, were still unfinished.
A reported 30,000 people attended the opening ceremony, with local media reporting sections of the new stadium, which is due to officially open in October, were still unfinished.
5
The Iranian team parades through the stadium during the opening of the games.
The World Nomad Games were envisioned as a way for countries to showcase nomadic culture and traditional sports.
The World Nomad Games were envisioned as a way for countries to showcase nomadic culture and traditional sports.
6
Riders perform during the opening ceremony.
The World Nomad Games were first held in Kyrgyzstan in 2014. The biannual event was hosted by Turkey in 2022 and Kazakhstan in 2024.
The World Nomad Games were first held in Kyrgyzstan in 2014. The biannual event was hosted by Turkey in 2022 and Kazakhstan in 2024.
7
America's team parades during the opening ceremony.
The USA contingent will compete in the popular goat-grabbing sport of kok-boru and horseback wrestling.
The USA contingent will compete in the popular goat-grabbing sport of kok-boru and horseback wrestling.
8
The Uzbek squad is introduced during the opening ceremony.
More than 100 national teams are reportedly taking part in the games, though the official list of "104" countries counts Cambodia twice.
More than 100 national teams are reportedly taking part in the games, though the official list of "104" countries counts Cambodia twice.
9
Ukraine's team is introduced during the ceremony, marking the country's return to the event after missing the 2024 games.
10
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian watches the opening ceremony.
Pashinian is due to meet with Putin on September 1 in Bishkek amid increasingly frigid relations between Yerevan and Moscow.
Pashinian is due to meet with Putin on September 1 in Bishkek amid increasingly frigid relations between Yerevan and Moscow.
11
The Russian team parades through the Bishkek Arena.
A notable absence from the politicians' terrace during the opening ceremony was Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who is in Bishkek for the political summit but did not appear at the games.
A notable absence from the politicians' terrace during the opening ceremony was Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who is in Bishkek for the political summit but did not appear at the games.
12
Dancers during a performance at the opening ceremony that showed off Kyrgyz history and mythology.
13
Belarus' team walk through the arena during the opening ceremony.
The Eastern European country reportedly sent nine athletes to Kyrgyzstan who will compete in arm-wrestling, belt wrestling, and sambo, a martial art developed by the Soviet Red Army.
The Eastern European country reportedly sent nine athletes to Kyrgyzstan who will compete in arm-wrestling, belt wrestling, and sambo, a martial art developed by the Soviet Red Army.
14
A view of the Bishkek Arena on August 31.
Russia has reportedly expressed interest in hosting the games in 2028.
Russia has reportedly expressed interest in hosting the games in 2028.
