Georgian flag raised in Rio Olympic village

The national flag of Georgia is proudly flying in the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where over the next two weeks 40 Georgian athletes will compete against the world’s best sportsmen and women in the hope of winning gold.

Several hours before the official opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili and his wife, First Lady Maka Chichua, visited the Olympic Village and met the Georgian athletes.

The Presidential couple wished the athletes success and in return, the Georgian sportsmen and women promised to do their best at the Games.

Georgia's President Giorgi Margvelashvili welcoming Georgian athletes. Photo by the President's press office. 

A Georgian flag has been hoisted in Rio, which is heart-warming for every Georgian. Forty athletes are here and their mood is very dynamic. I am sure the Georgian flag will be raised many times in Rio,” said President Margvelashvili.

While in the Olympic village the Georgian President met his French counterpart Francois Hollande. Both leaders wished good luck to the Georgian and French athletes competing at the August 5-21 Olympic Games.

The opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games will take place on August 5 at Maracana Stadium, starting at 8pm (3am Saturday morning Georgia time).

Georgia’s President and the First Lady will attend the opening ceremony.

At #Rio2016 planning to attend #OpeningCeremony / also meet and cheer #Geo#Olympic team. #GoGEO! pic.twitter.com/V5D4xLdyW7

— President Of Georgia (@MargvelashviliG) August 4, 2016

As mandated by the Olympic Charter, the proceedings will combine the formal ceremonial opening of the international sporting event with an artistic spectacle to showcase the host nation’s culture.

Meanwhile several disciplines have already begun their competition before the Games officially opening.

The Women’s and Men’s football competition has already started, and the archery competition will begin in several hours.

Georgia's First Lady Maka Chichua (R) wished success to all Georgian Olympic athletes. Photo by the President's press office. 

Georgian archers are set to compete in the Men’s Individual Ranking Round, which will begin at 9am on Friday morning in Rio (4pm Friday afternoon Georgia time).

Also today Georgia’s female archers Khatuna Narimanidze, Kristine Esebua and Iulia Lobjanidze will begin their Olympic campaign competing in the Women's Individual Ranking Round, which will start at 1pm in Rio (8pm Friday night Georgia time).