Dénia lights the Olympic flame: 30 years of Minijocs in the Marina Alta

More than 1.300 young people from 17 municipalities meet this weekend in Dénia to celebrate the XV edition of the Marina Alta Olympic Minijocs, a sporting event that every two years transforms the region into a celebration of sport and coexistence.

Opening ceremony of the 2003 Minijocs

The Marina Alta Olympic mini jocs were first held in April 1995 with the aim of creating a sporting event aimed at boys and girls in the region. The initiative sought to promote Olympic spirit and promote sports practice through an Olympics adapted to the local context.

The first steps: 1995

In this 1995 first edition 10 municipalities participated: Benissa, Calp, Dénia, El Verger, Gata de Gorgos, Ondara, Pedreguer, Teulada Moraira, Xàbia and Xaló. Near 1.000 young athletesThe disciplines included athletics, basketball, cycling, soccer, indoor soccer, tennis, and volleyball. Since then, the event has been held biennially and has grown in both the number of participants and the variety of sports.

1995st Edition Minijocs XNUMX

The opening ceremonies began to make their mark, with an inaugural spectacle that demonstrated the strength of collaboration between the towns of the region. That same year, athlete Miguel Avellà He was in charge of turning on the cauldron, marking a symbol of unity and effort.

Growth and diversification

Over the years, Minijocs have been growing in number. participants, sports modalities and in the richness of its organizational members inEach edition has added new sports, such as badminton, karate, swimming, paddle tennis and sailing, reflecting the evolution of the event in the region.

Participants of the 2001 Minijocs

The expansion of sports disciplines has not only encouraged youth participation, but has also led to the incorporation of new localities, consolidating the Minijocs as an emblematic event of the inclusive sport and community cooperationEach edition has opened with unique shows featuring local artists, where theater and music have been the protagonists, transforming the opening ceremony into a cultural event of great impact for the Marina Alta.

The most special moments

Each edition has moments that are recorded in the collective memory of the region, such as the lighting of the cauldron by prominent athletes. From Miguel Avellà in 1995 to more recent figures such as golfer Alba Camps Pascual in 2023, the chosen athletes symbolize the spirit of achievement and dedication that characterizes this event.

Minijocs cauldron of 1999

The opening shows, with the participation of theater, music and dance groups, have always been an additional attraction that not only enriches the event, but also contributes to the cultural identity of the Marina Alta.

The opening night of the 1997 Minijocs

all editions

Below is a chronological review of each edition:

1995st Edition Minijocs XNUMX

The Marina Alta celebrated its first Mini Olympic Games with the participation of ten municipalities: Benissa, Calp, Dénia, El Verger, Gata de Gorgos, Ondara, Pedreguer, Teulada Moraira, Xàbia and Xaló. About 1.000 jóvenes competed in tests of Athletics, basketball, cycling, soccer, indoor soccer, tennis, and volleyballThe opening ceremony included the formation of a star with the participants, a karate and ballet exhibition, and the lighting ceremony of the cauldron by the athlete Miguel AvellàThe organization had the support of 178 volunteers.

II Edition Minijocs 1997

With the incorporation of Orba and Pego, the second edition brought together 1.216 athletes from twelve locations. The young people competed in eight sports disciplines, including for the first time the handballThe staged story 'Punta de Roca', performed by local theatre groups, was the star of the opening ceremony, in which the sister of samuel lorca lit the cauldron. There were a total of 203 volunteers that made the event possible.

III Minijocs Edition 1999

Beniarbeig and Els Poblets joined and a total of 14 municipalities participated in the third edition, which brought together 1.117 jóvenes athletes. The program was expanded to include sailing. The opening show featured a theatrical performance in which the hero Alecto freed Marineta from a mythological kidnapping. The cauldron was lit by Paqui Rodriguez, with the help of 178 volunteers.

IV Minijocs Edition 2001

With the incorporation of new sports such as badminton, chess and Valencian pilota, the fourth edition marked a notable growth. More than 1.290 participants y 166 volunteers were mobilized. The opening ceremony, led by the company 'Visitors', featured the play 'Human Cultures'. The Olympic sailor Theresa Zabel had the honor of lighting the cauldron. The participating towns were: Beniarbeig, Benissa, Calp, Dénia, El Verger, Els Poblets, Gata de Gorgos, Jesús Pobre, La Vall de Laguar, Ondara, Orba, Pedreguer, Pego, Ràfol d'Almúnia, Teulada Moraira, Xàbia i Xaló.

2003th Minijocs Edition XNUMX

The 2003 edition welcomed 1.159 participants of twenty towns. They joined Benimeli, Benitatxell and La XaraThe opening ceremony was highlighted by the theatrical opening 'Art i Miracle', a taka performance, and traditional music with 'Els Traginers de Pedreguer'. The cauldron was lit jointly by Miguel Avellà and Elisa Llorca. Participated 225 volunteers.

VI Edition Minijocs 2005

With 1.392 participants and a historical record of 301 volunteers, the sixth edition incorporated the rhythmic gymnastics As a new feature, the opening ceremony featured the theater group 'Teatre de l'aire', with the play 'Neighborhood Superhero'. Jesus Aragon was in charge of lighting the cauldron. This year, the following towns participated: Beniarbeig, Benidoleig, Benissa, Benitatxell, Calp, Dénia, El Verger, Els Poblets, Gata de Gorgos, Jesús Pobre, La Rectoria, La Vall de Laguar, La Xara, Murla, Ondara, Orba, Pedreguer, Pego, Teulada Moraira, Xàbia i Xaló.

VII Edition Minijocs 2007

Continuity was key in this edition, which maintained a high participation with 1.395 young athletes and 294 volunteersThe 'Teatre de l'aire' group once again starred in the opening with the play 'StarGames'. The athlete Adrián Vallés lit the cauldron. The following participated 21 locations from the VI Edition.

VIII Edition Minijocs 2009

With 1.356 participants y 233 volunteersThe eighth edition featured an inaugural juggling and acrobatics show by the group 'Iknotiz'. Vicente Salvador Llopis “Cheli” lit the cauldron in front of a large audience. This year, La Vall de Laguar did not participate.

IX Edition Minijocs 2011

With the incorporation of swimming In addition to the sports program, the 2011 Minijocs featured 1.334 participants y 218 volunteersThe opening ceremony included a piece from 'West Side Story' performed by the Youth Brass Band. The cauldron was lit by Daniel García ChornetThe same localities participated as in the previous edition.

2013th Minijocs Edition XNUMX

The tenth edition brought together 1.227 participants and 218 volunteersThe opening featured a performance by the batucada group Ondaratack, with jugglers. Aina Fornés and Kyle Smith were in charge of lighting the cauldron. The following towns participated in this edition: Beniarbeig, Benidoleig, Benissa, Benitatxell, Calp, Dénia, El Verger, Els Poblets, Gata de Gorgos, La Vall de Laguar, La Rectoria, La Xara, Murla, Ondara, Orba, Pedreguer, Pego, Teulada Moraira, Xàbia i Xaló.

XI Edition Minijocs 2015

With a renewed programming that included sports such as boccia and padel, the 2015 edition brought together 1.269 athletesThe Regional Theatre School group offered the opening ceremony. The cauldron was lit by Miquel Signes GómezThe town of Jesús Pobre was introduced.

2017th Edition Minijocs XNUMX

With a record participation of 1.396 jóvenes, this edition stood out for the inclusion of the Mountain bikeThe Muixeranga de Pego and the 'La Clandestina' group put on a moving opening performance. Silvia Bordes Caselles lit the cauldron. In this edition the town of Llíber.

2019th Minijocs Edition XNUMX

With the entry of new disciplines such as horse riding and karate, the thirteenth Minijocs brought together 1.289 participantsThe Pedreguer Hip Hop Workshop opened the event and Kiko Catalán Vena, president of Levante UD, was in charge of lighting the cauldron. Nineteen towns participated.

2023th MiniJocs Edition XNUMX

The fourteenth edition brought together 1.334 athletes of eighteen locations. Alba Camps Pascual, a prominent golf player, was in charge of lighting the cauldron. The organization was supported by 228 volunteers.

2025th MiniJocs Edition XNUMX

The fifteenth edition of the Minijocs Olímpics of the Marina Alta will be held in Dénia with the participation of more than 1.300 young athletes from 17 municipalities, who will compete in 19 disciplines, including News about women's football and one-wallThe event will open with the arrival of the Olympic torch on May 15 and an official ceremony on the 16th, featuring a parade of delegations, a show by La FAM Teatre, and the lighting of the cauldron by local authorities.

Dénia will have the largest representation, with 275 young athletes, followed by Xàbia, Calp, Pego and OndaraAthletes from other towns in the Marina Alta will also participate, such as Beniarbeig, Benissa, Poble Nou de Benitatxell, El Verger, Els Poblets, Gata de Gorgos, La Rectoria, La Xara, Orba, Pedreguer, Teulada Moraira and Jesús Pobre.

Over the weekend, the Dénia Municipal Sports Center will host competitions, finals, and parallel activities for the whole family, including workshops, inclusive exhibitions, and charity matches.