Third Pan-Armenian Games begin in Yerevan

The Third Pan-Armenian Games are opening this Saturday, August 16, in Armenia, in which amateur athletes will participate.

As the press service of the organizing committee of the Games has told RIA Novosti, over 1,500 athletes from 80 cities of the world will compete for 30 sets of medals in 10 kinds of sport.

The largest delegation will come from the USA, Iran and Georgia.

The right to ignite the symbolic flame of the Games has been given to Olympic champions: female basketball player Elen Buniatyan, range shooter Grachya Petikyan, weight-lifter Israel Militosyan and wrestler Levon Dzhulfalakyan.

The organizers do not expect any serious sport achievements from the participants. The Games aim to strengthen Armenia's ties with the Armenian Diaspora. The Games will be over on August 24.

The first Pan-Armenian Games took place in Yerevan in 1999. They are held once every two years.