According to the organisers, more than 900 participants from abroad will take part in the games and another 150 from Croatia in 16 different disciplines.
"These fourth Games will be remembered as the largest yet because we have more than a thousand competitors from 32 countries and five continents. The most important thing though is that they have all come to celebrate their Croatian identity, their belonging to one of the oldest European cultures, their wealthy historical heritage and the scenery that Croatia abounds with. Sports has been one of the most prominent ways for the Croats to show their national pride and these games are a true link between homeland and expat Croats and I hope that many of these Croats and their descendants participating in the games in Zagreb will one day decide to come and live in Croatia," state secretary in the State Office for Croats Abroad, Zvonko Milas said.
It is that office that is one of the main organisers of the games in addition to the Croatian World Congress whose representative Vinko Sabljo expressed special gratitude to more than a hundred volunteers and students and youth for their help and without whom the games would not be possible.
This is the first time that participants from Canada and the USA will compete in addition to competitors from Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bolivia, Brazil, Montenegro, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Italy, Ireland, Macedonia, Netherlands, Germany, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Switzerland, Sweden, Tanzania, Great Britain and Venezuela.
The games are being held under the auspices of President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, the Croatian Sabor and the City of Zagreb. The slogan of this year's games is "One heart, one Croatia."