The BRICS Games, an annual event of the eight-nation BRICS intergovernmental organisation, has reached new heights with a record number of participants in its fifth edition. The organisation comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and the UAE.
Kazan, the third capital of Russia, is hosting the event, taking over from previous hosts Goa, India (2016), Guangzhou, China (2017), Johannesburg, South Africa (2018), and Durban, South Africa (2023). The 2022 edition was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notably, this year’s edition has attracted more countries than the organisation’s member states, with 15 countries applying to join. Russia, excluded from participating in the Paris Olympics, has sent its strongest athletes to the BRICS Games.
With 27 sporting codes and over 4,500 athletes representing 90 countries, the competition is fierce. The games are being held across 17 sports venues, and after eight days, the hosts, Russia, are leading the medal table with a total of 239 medals. The event will culminate on 23 June.
