The Finnish Defence Forces will host the International Military Sports Council’s (CISM) 50th World Military Orienteering Championship from 10-16 June in the town and municipality of Hamina. In this jubilee event, the competition programme features competitions in Middle distance and Long distance, a Team race, as well as Relay.
In accordance with the CISM motto, the theme of the championships is "Friendship through Sport" with Minister of Defence Jussi Niinistö as the patron of the championships.
Approximately 250 athletes and fifty team leaders from 31 countries participate in the competitions which bring to Hamina internationally successful athletes and national team members from Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the Arab Emirates, the United States, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
With the competition site located east of the town of Hamina in the region of Luotosenjärvi (Lake Luotonen) and the accommodation in the Reserve Officer School in Hamina, the championships’ arrangements are organised by the Army Academy.
Finland is now hosting these championships for the sixth time, with the previous venues having been Dragsvik in 1968, Hämeenlinna in 1976, Lahti in 1984, Säkylä in 1995, and Lappeenranta in 2005.
The public will be able to observe the opening ceremony in the Parade Ground of the Reserve Officer School on Sunday 11 June at 15. This event begins with the participating teams marching in downtown Hamina.
The competitions begin with Middle distance orienteering on Monday 12 June at 10.
Competition Programme:
Saturday 10 June
Teams arriving in Hamina
Sunday 11 June
Opening Ceremony in the Reserve Officer School Parade Ground at 15
Monday 12 June
Middle distance at 10-14
Tuesday 13 June
Long distance at 10-14.30
Wednesday 14 June
Culture Day for the teams
Thursday 15 June
Relay at 10-13
Friday 16 June
Departures of the teams
For more information on the event, see puolustusvoimat.fi/en/web/sotilasliikunta and in social media:
Facebook.com/puolustus
Twitter.com/puolustusvoimat
Instagram.com/puolustusvoimat.fi
#50wmoc2017
