体坛英语新闻：FIRS World Figure Skating Championships opens in Colombia

BOGOTA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The FIRS (Roller Sports International Federation) World Figure Skating Championships opened on Thursday in Cali, Colombia, with the participation of skaters from 26 countries and regions.

The event is being held in Alcides Nieto Patino Velodrome, located in Colombian southwestern city of Cali. This was the fifth time Colombia hosts the championships, after in 1980, 1986, 1998 and 1995.

Besides Colombia, Latin America are represented by the delegations from Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico and Paraguay, who face a strong presence of European and Asian teams.

The main Colombian figures include Viviana Osorio, bronze-medal winner in the previous edition, and the couple formed by Marcela Cruz and Leonardo Parrado, who ended fourth in Reus, Spain.

The FIRS World Figure Skating Championships will last until Sunday Sept. 27.