2013 SU Update: FISU Flag Relay arrives in Urals Capital

EKATERINBURG – Ekaterinburg, the capital city of the Urals, extended its warm welcome to the delegates of theFISU Flag Relay held under the motto ‘Universiade in Your City!’.

The Kazan 2013 delegates enjoyed the Urals-style welcome to the fullest extent, when they were met at the railway station with bread-and-salt and folk songs. Among other special greeters were Minister of Physical Culture and Sports of the Sverdlovsk Region Leonid Aronovich, Rector of the Ural Federal University Victor Koksharov, renowned Olympic biathlon champion Sergey Chepikov, climbing champion Dmitry Sharafutdinov and students of the Ural Federal University.

It’s noteworthy that Ekaterinburg became the 16th, final city on the route of the FISU Flag Relay. Another cooperation agreement was signed between the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate and the BorisYeltsin Ural FederalUniversity.

Before the signing ceremony started, the FISU Flag Relay presentation took place. The organizers noted that the relay which was made possible by the efforts of Sberbank of Russia, ;had passed through 15 university centers of the Volga Federal District, and the cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Many students of the Sverdlovsk Region plan to join the preparations and staging of the Games as Kazan 2013 volunteers. At the same time Minister of Physical Culture, Sports and Youth Policy of the Sverdlovsk Region Leonid Rapoport stressed the example Kazan was setting for other cities of Russia. «Organizers of the 2013 Summer Universiade opened up new possibilities for Russia. Inspired by your example, we started considering the opportunity of hosting such large-scale events in our city. And so far we will be studying your experience.»

Larisa Sulima drew the attention of her colleagues to the fact thatKazan’s winning bid to host the 27th World University Summer Games boosted the development of sports infrastructure ofKazan’s higher education institutions. «18 out of 36 venues specially constructed for the 27th Summer Universiade will be handed over to universities and institutes, which will enable us to raise champions in university sports and strengthen health of the students of our republic», she said.

«We are happy people, since it’s us who will become direct witnesses of the multi-sports forum that is to return to our country 40 years later. It’s no coincidence that the Russian leaders see the Universiade as a dress rehearsal for the Olympic Games since the Games inKazanwill test the key areas of the Sochi 2014 Olympics’ management, including volunteer training. Volunteers that will be listed among the best at the 2013 World University Summer Games will be invited to work at the Sochi Olympics», concluded Larisa Sulima.

Massive FISU Flag Relay-related celebrations proceeded in Ekaterinburg on Sunday, October 16th, which was also a big day for the Ural Federal Universitythat marked its birthday this day. So-called ‘U-Day’ started with the student parade in downtown Ekaterinburg with the FISU Flag heading the procession. Later on, the grand ‘Universiade in Your City!’ concert took place in the city’s circus and saw the appearance of best creative bands of Tatarstan and Sverdlovsk Region.

(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate)