The International Organizing Committee for the Third Pan-Armenian Games met in Yerevan over the weekend to finalize arrangements for the August event. Minister Oskanian President of the Games Committee met with the delegates from more than a dozen countries around the world to discuss plans and projections. He also hosted a reception for the delegates at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday evening May 3. He is pictured here with the group from Turkey which will be represented by several teams. Altogether more than 1500 athletes are expected from around the world. Minister Oskanian is pictured here (2d from right) with Ambassador Ashot Melik-Shahnazarian Executive Director of the Games (center) and three members of the organizing committee from Turkey. Timing August 16-24 2003 Supporting organizations Armenian Governmental Organizing Committee and International Olympic Committee in the frameworks of “Sport for all program President H.E. Mr. Vartan Oskanian Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Contact person H.E. Mr. Ashot Melik-Shahnazarian Ambassador of Armenia in Mexico and Cuba Vice-President of the World Committee of the Pan-Armenian Games Tel / Fax: (374 1) 52 68 02 mobile: (374 9) 41 37 14 E-mail: armgames@mfa.am Sports Football mini-football basketball volleyball track & field tennis table tennis chess swimming badminton (all male and female except football and mini-football) Participating delegations From over 100 cities of the world Countries involved Over 35 countries from 5 continents Number of participants Approximately 3000 (athletes coaches referees officials) Place of the organization of the Opening ceremony of the Games Hrazdan stadium (75000 sit places) Football Vazgen Sargsian stadium (18000 seats) Hrazdan stadium (75000 seats) Abovian stadium (3000 seats) Erebuni stadium (1000 seats) Nairi stadium (1000 seats) Artashat stadium (1000 seats) Mini-football Arax court (1500 seats) Basketball & Volleyball Karen Demirchian Culture Center (7500 seats) Dynamo court (1300 seats) Kilikia court (700 seats) Grand Tabako court (600 seats) Hall of the Sports Institute (600 seats) Tennis Hrazdan sports academy (600 seats) Ararat sports club (300 seats) Table - tennis Athletics Dynamo court (1300 seats) Artashat stadium (1000 seats) Chess House of chess (300 seats) Swimming Arabkir swimming-pool (300 seats) Badminton Yerevan State University court Notes: all the winners of individual and team tournaments are awarded cups medals and diplomas. All the participants of the Pan-Armenian Games receive souvenir medals and letters of appreciation. Support activities August 16 2003 The Games flame will be lit in the Garni ancient temple (20 km. from Yerevan) and the best sportsmen of Armenia will light the torch in the Vazgen Sargsian stadium. August 16 2003 Opening ceremony of the Third Pan-Armenian Games in the Vazgen Sargsian stadium. August 17-24 2003 Competitions in ten sports. August 14 –26 2003 Cultural program under the patronage of Charles Aznavour will accompany the Games. August 14-26 2003 Special entertainment program. August 14-26 2003 12 issues of special newspaper will be issued. August 16 22 2003 Marathon 2003 will be organized in conformity with the IOC program Sport for all. The participants will receive special diplomas with the logo of the Games and the logo of the General Sponsor on them. August 20 2003 Visiting the Armenian Genocide Memorial the Genocide museum and the mass in the Grigor Lusavorich Church. August 20 2003 Gala-concert for 2003 people at the Karen Demirchian Culture Center. August 24 2003 Miss Pan-Armenian Games 2003 and two runners-up will be elected among the participants of the Games. August 24 2003 Closing ceremony of the Third Pan-Armenian Games. WORLD COMMITTEE OF THE PAN-ARMENIAN GAMES HAS THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO THE PAN-ARMENIAN GAMES ITS LOGO AND ALL OTHER ATTRIBUTES.