2013 SU Update: Winners of Faces of Universiade Contest announced

KAZAN – Six winners of the ‘Faces of the Universiade’-Contest that are to travel to China to become part of the Shenzhen 2011 victory ceremony escort team were announced today in Kazan. The names of other winners that are to take part in the 2013 Summer Universiade medals ceremonies were revealed as well. All in all, there were 30 ‘Faces of the Universiade’ selected.

Lucky holders of the certificates entitling them to partake in the 2011 SU official ceremonies are Leysan Nurieva, Daria Doronina, Karina Ismagilova, Anastasia Zharikova, Svetlana Molina and Elena Levanova.

46 young men and women that qualified for the final stage were contending for the right to become ‘Faces of the Universiade’ and take part in Kazan 2013-related events. Kazan students proved to the panel that each of them was worth to represent the 27th World University Summer Games at the 2011 Summer Universiade in Shenzhen and be selected for the medal ceremony escort pool of the Kazan 2013 Universiade.

The panel of judges included Deputy Director General of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Igor Sivov (chairman of judges), Children and Youth’s Committee of Kazan’s Executive Committee Chairman Linar Zakirov, Advisor to the Director General and Chief of Staff of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Larisa Sulima, Director of the Social and Cultural Programmes Department Arkady Karbaev, President of the Miss Tatarstan Republican Public Association Izolda Sakharova, designer Sultan Saliev. Rupert Wainwright, a Hollywood director and director of Russia’s Sochi 2014, Kazan 2013 and 2018 FIFA World Cup bids’ presentation videos, became a special guest of the event.

In his welcome speech to the contestants and judges Igor Sivov stated: ‘Despite the fact that the escort team will include only 30 young people, it will be our ‘gilded youth’ that will represent Russia at the 2013 Summer Universiade and 2018 FIFA World Cup. It’s quite possible that in the future they will join the ranks of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate’. With respect to the foreign guest, Igor Sivov added in English: ‘Kazan’s best students became ‘Faces of the Universiade’.’ The chair of the panel also extended his gratitude to the contestants for getting involved in the project and being true patriots.

Attractive and a little shy of being in the limelight the ‘gilded youth’ pleased everyone with their knowledge of foreign languages and wide interests. Some of the contestants were so eager to impress the panel that they used original methods, like for example, played a mouth organ, thus proving a love for specialty.

Rupert Wainwright was serious about his mission and interviewed the contestants in English, asking them whether they were ready to dedicate themselves to such a grand sporting event like the Universiade. And though sometimes the entrants were really nervous while answering questions, their replies were confident and convincing. Some contestants were brave enough to express their admiration of the talented director.

After the interviews the panel of judges retired to an anteroom, leaving the contestants to share impressions with each other and pose in front of the cameras. After a few painful minutes of waiting the panel of judges announced the results.

Larisa Sulima tried to cheer up all the contestants: ‘Believe us, today you represent Tatarstan’s student elite, you are the best because you are striving for victory and you will go far. Nobody loses today, we are proud of each of you!’ Diplomas, Universiade logoed scarves and tulip bouquets became a pleasant bonus to the feeling of victory of the 30 winners.

Rupert Wainwright awarded a special prize to six lucky contestants: Sofia Khusainova, Karina Ismagilova, Alina Gorzhova, Dilyara Faizullina, Alia Ovchinnikova and Anstasia Osipenko. The beauties of Kazan were invited to casting for Kazan’s 2015/2017 World Aquatics Championships bid’s presentation spot.

As the famous Hollywood director remarked, he was pleased with the fact that the ‘Faces of the Universiade’ paid a considerable attention to both physical and moral self-improvement. Moreover, Rupert Wainwright pointed out the enthusiasm and drive of the students that applied great energy to accomplish the Contest’s challenges.

The Contest initiated by the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate, Miss Tatarstan Republican Public Association, Children and Youth Committee of Kazan’s Executive Committee is scheduled to be held annually. The project focuses on building a volunteer escort team for presentation, test and official events held in the preparations of the 2013 Summer Universiade.

(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate)