All the teams at the courtyard of Halmstad Castle.
Photo: Christian Lövgren/Försvarsmakten
The teams marshed in, in French order. First team: Germany.
Photo: Christian Lövgren/Försvarsmakten
Official CISM representative at the WMLC16, Col. Dirk Schwede.
Photo: Christian Lövgren/Försvarsmakten
Carl Fredrik Graf, the mayor of Halmstad.
Photo: Christian Lövgren/Försvarsmakten
The Halland Home Guard Music Corps.
Photo: Christian Lövgren/Försvarsmakten
Team Sweden.
Photo: Christian Lövgren/Försvarsmakten
Rear Admiral Jens Nykvist declared the games open.
Photo: Christian Lövgren/Försvarsmakten
The opening ceremony of the World Military Lifesaving Championship was held in the courtyard of the 400 year old Halmstad Castle. The eleven teams marched into the courtyard to the sound of The Halland Home Guard Music Corps.
Rear Admiral Jens Nykvist welcomed everyone before the Swedish Flag was raised and the Swedish National anthem was played by the Halland Home Guard Music Corps.
OCR Colonel Dirk Schwede then held an opening speech where he talked about, amongst other things, lifesaving as a sport and its history as a sport.
The Mayor of Halmstad, Carl Fredrik Graf was the next speaker. He talked about the importance of the garrison to the town and that Halmstad was well known for its sandy beaches. Halmstad is the home of Sweden´s only lifesaving school. It has been here since 1960, so there is a long tradition of lifesaving in Halmstad.
Then, Rear Admiral Jens Nykvist declared the championships open and the teams marched out through the castle gates. Let the games begin!