The Opening Ceremony of the Deaflympics was held in Sondrio ©Deaflympics

The Opening Ceremony of the Winter Deaflympics was held in the Italian town of Sondrio as the curling competition continued.

A group of 33 participating countries paraded at the Opening Ceremony, including dance performances and poetry. 

Sondrio Mayor Marco Scaramellini officially declared the Winter Deaflympics open, Italian singer Silvia Mezzanotte singing the national anthem of the host country. 

Italian skiing legend and three-time Olympic champion Deborah Compagnoni was also present. 

The whole Ceremony was accessible for deaf people.

The participating nations in the Winter Deaflympics paraded through the streets of Sondrio for the Opening Ceremony ©Deaflympics
The participating nations in the Winter Deaflympics paraded through the streets of Sondrio for the Opening Ceremony ©Deaflympics

With the preliminary round of the curling competition beginning earlier this week, draw three in the men's event was held. 

Poland defeated Italy 12-3, Ukraine thrashed the United States 11-2, China edged past South Korea 1-0 and Russia overcame Japan 6-4. 

Technical committee meetings in cross-country skiing, ice hockey, snowboarding and Alpine skiing took place.  

Action in these four sports are scheduled to begin tomorrow, with chess also getting underway.