DEBRA Swann spent the last 18 months planning the opening ceremony for the Australian Deaf Games.
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It's only natural then, after all that hard work and effort, that there would be a bit of emotion backstage at the end of Saturday night’s ceremony.
The Albury Entertainment Centre was packed to officially launch this week's games, with representatives from each state and territory competing placing their flag on the stage.
Albury deputy mayor Amanda Cohn, made a big impression, delivering a speech welcoming competitors to the Border in Auslan after spending the last year learning the language.
“This is the first opening ceremony I've ever organised, there was so much to do,” Swann said.
“It was overwhelming, an amazing experience and a learning experience, but at the same time highly emotional.
“It's an emotional experience when you see it all come together on the night, the culmination of about 18 months of work.
“When it came to an end, I had a bit of a moment, breaking down in tears of happiness and joy.
“To see it all come to fruition, I can't describe it in words.
“I was just inspired, there was a sense of adrenaline.”
The national anthem was performed by the Wodonga 1st Scouts Group with the help of Auslan Stage Left's Julia Murphy.
Games chair Alex Jones said Cr Cohn's speech was a highlight for the crowd.
“What an honour to have so many dignitaries at the ceremony, representing our principal supporters and sponsors,” he said.
“The feedback from our competitors and guests has been that Albury-Wodonga has welcomed us with open arms.
“Cr Cohn’s speech really struck a chord with the crowd.”
The hot weather has already had an impact on the games, with the beginning of the athletics competition postponed from Saturday to yesterday morning to beat the searing heat.
Competition proper got started yesterday, with athletics, Canadian foursomes golf, netball, tenpin bowling and swimming.
Nine sports will begin or continue competition today, including beach volleyball, darts, eight ball, lawn bowls, netball, table tennis, tennis, tenpin bowling and touch football.
Deaflympian Jamie Howell started his campaign in the athletics on Sunday, as did other notable competitors Liam Wyatt, Olivia Ford and Samira Cox.
Border swimming competitors Carl Liden, Brooke King, Steven King and John King all had their first events yesterday as well.
The Games Expo will continue throughout the week.