PALMAS, Brazil (AP) — The first World Indigenous Games is getting its official start with an extravagant opening ceremony presided over by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

The games are bringing some 2,000 athletes from indigenous groups from the four corners of the world to Palmas, an agricultural outpost in a remote part of central Brazil.

The nine-day event includes such events as canoeing, archery and tug-of-war, among other traditional sports.

Hundreds of indigenous people from across Brazil and delegations from as far afield as Mongolia and the Philippines have already arrived in Palmas.

Rousseff is expected to touch down in the city ahead of the Friday evening ceremony.

The World Indigenous Games runs through Nov. 1.