 File:Sinan Erdem Dome.jpg
The opening ceremony of basketball's 2010 FIBA World Championship took place in Sinan Erdem Dome, Istanbul on Friday.
The celebrations started with a special show by the world-renowned group Cirque du Soleil. It was followed by the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra, a Janissary band, and the singers Fatih Erkoç and Müslüm Gürses. Then Whirling Dervishes took to the stage. Turkish diva Sezen Aksu performed with the Italian tenor Alessandro Safina and Greek singer Haris Alexiou. To finish, Turkish dance group Fire of Anatolia performed the show "Troy".
—FIBA President Bob ElphinstonFIBA President Bob Elphinston gave a speech during the ceremony. "FIBA assigned the event to Turkey in 2004 and after six years of hard work, a dream comes true. Turkey is ready and Turkey will deliver. We thank the Turkish government for the great support."
The first round of the tournament, which is in Europe for the first time since 1998, will tip off in Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir and Kayseri.

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2010 FIBA World Championship starts