Official logo of the 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games is the ring-tailed Lemur, a flagship species of Madagascar. Photo: Orange actu, used with permission. From August 25 to September 3, 2023, Madagascar will host the Indian Ocean Island Games for the third time. The Indian Ocean Island Games (JIOI) are sports games where athletes from various Southwest Indian Ocean islands gather for a multi-sport competition. Mauritius, Seychelles, the Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte, Réunion and the Maldives all participate in this event. The Indian Ocean Island Games originate from the Regional Olympic and Sports Committee (CROS) of Réunion, which suggested holding sports games in the Indian Ocean region, known as the Indian Ocean Games, as part of its 1974 objectives agreement. This idea was subsequently adopted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1976. Its first edition was thereby held in Saint-Denis, Réunion in 1979 as the Indian Ocean Games. Following its first edition, it later became known as the Indian Ocean Island Games. The JIOI is a quadrennial event. According to the Indian Ocean Island Games Charter, there must be ten or more sports disciplines, two of which must be athletics and swimming. Madagascar, which previously hosted the JIOI in 1990 and 2007, will thereby be the host country for the third time in 2023 for its 11th edition. For this occasion, the organizing committee has selected “Victory in Unity and Diversity” as the games’ motto, which is sung proudly in the official 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games’ anthem. The anthem and logo for the games were unveiled during an official ceremony in May. President Andry Nirina Rajoelina of the Republic of Madagascar posted the official anthem on Facebook: “C’est avec amour que je vous partage l’hymne des jeux des Jeux des îles de l'Océan Indien” https://www.facebook.com La victoire dans l’unité et la diversité “It's with love that I share the anthem for the “Indian Ocean Island Games” with you https://www.facebook.com Victory in Unity and Diversity During the JIOI, organizers undertake to fulfill various objectives: to establish friendship and mutual understanding between the people of the Indian Ocean Islands; to foster regional cooperation with the participation of athletes from various member islands, without racial, religious or political discrimination, for the region's sport development. These games also foster regional solidarity by establishing a common technical, refereeing and organizational training schedule. Mini games are also held with the participation of the International Games Council (CIJ) member islands to promote Olympism and respect international rules. The 11th edition will have 17 sports disciplines on the program: athletics, basketball, boxing, badminton, cycling, soccer, weightlifting, handball, judo, karate, wrestling, swimming, rugby sevens, tennis, table tennis, pétanque, and volleyball. To ensure the safety of all athletes involved, the organizing committee suggested the competition only be held in Madagascar's capital city of Antananarivo. During his speech at the official anthem and logo unveiling ceremony for Madagascar's Island Games, at the Ivato International Conference Center, President Rajoelina expressed his commitment to making these games an expression of national pride and even better than previous editions. The event's opening ceremony will take place on August 25 and its closing ceremony will be held on September 3, 2023 in the Mahamasinna Municipal Stadium, Antananarivo. On social media, many are excited about the prospect of hosting this great event and supporting Malagasy athletes in a spirit of solidarity. Take for example Haingotiana Sarah, who tweeted: Ensemble, vibrons au rythme des Jeux des Îles 2023 ! 🔥 Une célébration sportive mettant en valeur l'esprit d'équipe et l'excellence athlétique des îles de l'océan Indien . Prêts à soutenir nos athlètes préférés ? 💪🏅 #JeuxDesÎles2023 #EspritdÉquipe #Sport pic.twitter.com/URGMN57Tlq — Haingotina Sarah (@HaingotinaSara1) June 29, 2023 Together, we share the excitement for the 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games! 🔥 A sporting celebration that showcases the athletic excellence and team spirit within the Indian Ocean islands. Ready to support our favorite athletes? 💪🏅 #JeuxDesÎles2023 #EspritdÉquipe #Sport pic.twitter.com/URGMN57Tlq — Haingotina Sarah (@HaingotinaSara1) June 29, 2023 However, Malagasy national pride appears to have been overshadowed. The government announced that the games’ opening and closing ceremonies would be led by Chinese choreographers. This decision has angered many Malagasy citizens on social media.