Istroyan Games

The Istroyan Games are the leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of events. The Summer Istroyan Games have been held every four years since 1950 and the Winter Istroyan Games have been held every four years since 1976. The ancient Istroyans held a series of multi-event sporting competitions and provided the inspiration for the contest's name. The Istroyan Games are overseen by the International Istroyan Games Committee.

The Games have grown so much that nearly every nation is now represented; colonies and overseas territories are allowed to field their own teams. Every two years the Istroyan Games and its media exposure provide athletes with the chance to attain national and sometimes international fame. The Games also provide an opportunity for the host city and country to showcase themselves to the world. Host cities are now announced 10 years in advance to give nations time to prepare.

Origins and history
The Games were first suggested in 1947 as a way to bring the world together again in the spirit of friendly competition following the devastation of the Second Great War. The International Istroyan Games Committee was formed that year and the first host nation was chosen at random from a shortlist; it transpired to be Metzetta, who hosted the Hanzeong 1950 Summer Games (at the time referred to without the "Summer") in their capital.

In 1968, Caphiria pledged to withdraw from the Games unless it was chosen to host; it was subsequently chosen to host the 1974 Summer Games and 1980 Winter Games, both of which were heavily boycotted.

After some discussion the IIGC decided an additional competition highlighting winter sports would be a fitting supplement to their Summer Games and instituted the Winter Games beginning in 1976; therefore there would now be an Istroyan Games every two years, alternating between Summer and Winter Games. The first Winter Games were held in Aciria, again chosen through random draw.

International Istroyan Games Committee
The IIGC is responsible for selecting host nations, overseeing the planning of the Games and negotiating sponsorship and broadcasting rights. The Committee makes all pronouncements in three languages; English, Latin and the language of the current host nation. The committee board is required to have members from several different nations. The IIGC maintains offices in Anglei, Trosseurs, Kurst and Hanzeong.

The current president of the Committee is Patrick de Weluta of Urcea, who has served since 2003, taking over from Leon Villeneuve of Aciria who served from 1979 until 2003. The other former presidents are Harold Scudder of Anglei who served 1950-1960 and Satō Ichika of Canpei who served 1960-1979 as the committee's only female president.

Symbols
The flag of the Istroyan Games was designed to symbolise international unity. The seven stars represent the seven continents from which athletes arrive to compete.

Each Games has had an associated animal mascot designed by the host nation, often featuring on advertising materials and merchandise. The first Istroyan Mascot was Hanzeong's Mwicha The Bear Cub in 1950.

Ceremonies
The opening and closing ceremonies are held before and after each edition of the Istroyan Games and have become as anticipated in their own right as the sporting events.

Opening Ceremony
The ceremony held prior to the commencement of the sporting events begin with the entrance of the president of the International Istroyan Games Committee and a representative of the host country followed by the hoisting of the host country's flag and a performance of its national anthem. The host nation then presents artistic displays of music, singing, dance, and theatre representative of its culture.

After the artistic portion of the ceremony, the athletes parade into the stadium grouped by nation, ordered alphabetically according to the language of the host nation, aside from the host nation itself which always enters last. Speeches are given by the IIGC president and the representative of the host nation, often a head of state, formally opening the games. Finally, the stadium's beacon is lit by a prestigious athlete of the host nation using the Istroyan Torch.

Medal Presentation
A medal ceremony is held at the conclusion of each event; the first, second and third-placed teams or competitors stand on a three-tiered rostrum and receive gold, silver and bronze medals respectively, which are usually manufactured by the host nation's mint. The medals are presented by members of the IIGC. After the medals have been received, the national flags of the three medallists are raised while the national anthem of the gold medallist's country is played. In the Summer Istroyan Games, each medal ceremony is held at the venue where the event has taken place, but during the Winter Games the ceremony often takes place in a special plaza.

Closing Ceremony
The ceremony held after the games have concluded begins with flag-bearers from each participating nation entering the stadium, followed by the athletes who all enter together, without any national distinction. Three flags are hoisted; the flag of the host nation, the flag of ancient Istroya and the flag of the next nation to host the games. Then the final sporting event takes place; a demonstration sport chosen by the host country, often representing a native game, for which no medals are given (demonstration sports only take place in Summer Games). Then, the final medals are given, having not been handed out in separate ceremonies like the rest; in Summer the medals for the marathon are presented, while in Winter the medals for pairs' figure skating are presented.

Then there is a short ceremony in which the representative of the host nation passes a special Istroyan Games flag to the IIGC president, who passes it to a representative of the next nation to host the games, while a piece of music from the host nation is played. The IIGC president makes their closing remarks and the Istroyan Flame is extinguished, signalling the end of the games.

Summer Programme
The Summer Games feature 6 sports categories, divided into 34 disciplines which are in turn divided into 152 events. Some sports are grouped into categories they don't strictly belong to for convenience of the organisers. Nations may enter as many or as few events as they desire.

Winter Programme
The Winter Games feature 3 sports categories, divided into 13 disciplines which are in turn divided into 43 events. Some sports are grouped into categories they don't strictly belong to for convenience of the organisers. Nations may enter as many or as few events as they desire.

Summer Games
Note that before the introduction of the Winter Games, "Summer" was not included in the title of the Games, however the term is retroactively applied for consistency.