2013 SU Update: Saransk welcomes FISU Flag Relay

SARANSK – Early in the morning of September 16th, the ‘Universiade in Your City!’ train delivered the FISU Flag in the Republic of Mordovia, one of Russia’s leading regions in the terms of sports development

The ‘Universiade in Your City!’ train passengers received an amazingly warm welcome upon arrival in the city of Saransk. A folk performance introduced the Tatarstan delegates to a unique culture of the Mordova people and made them feel a brotherly connection of peoples living in neighboring regions.

«Sports for Mordovia is a lifetsyle, a national idea, that brings together all the citizens of the region and builds a healthy nation», said Lyudmila Lisunova, Chairman of the State Youth Committee, in her welcome speech to the guests. «We have a good reason to be proud of our athletes, who win World and European Championships, Olympic Games. And the fact that the World University Games will return toRussia40 years later is a great joy for us. And I’m sure that it will inspire thousands of young folks to do great sports deeds!»

For her part, Chief of Staff of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Larisa Sulima recalled that it was Mordovia that collected the largest number of signatures in support of the Universiade inKazanduring the Kazan 2013 bid campaign. «And today your region is the leader in terms of sports development in Russia. Less than a month ago the whole country was rejoicing at the triumph of Mordovian athletes at the 26th Universiade in Shenzhen, and most recently Saransk hosted the 3rd International Forum ‘Russia – Country of Sports’. As one of Tatarstan’s closest neighbors, your republic has always been a reliable partner in developing grassroots and professional sports, and now you are to become members of Team 2013, which is to carry out the best Summer Universiade ever», she said.

Larisa Sulima handed the hosts a box of chocolates and a rope, small gifts from Penza where  the FISU Flag Relay was the day before. The traditional presents were given by Larisa Sulima to young activists of Mordovia as well: a hundredweight of salt, a symbol of overcoming obstacles, and chak-chak, a traditional Tatar dessert.

«The Universiade in Kazan is a significant event for the whole of Russia, and for us, Volga Region residents, it’s a special holiday. Mordovia is ready to make its contribution to the medal collection of the Russian national team and help Kazan in the preparations and staging of the 2013 Summer Universiade», said Natalya Anryushechkina, Chair of the Students’ Labor Union Committee of Mordovia State University.

(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate)