Kazan 2013 Preparations are a Unique Experience for the Sports World, says FISU SG/CEO

FISU SG/CEO Eric Saintrond

KAZAN – Kazan’s preparations for the 2013 Summer Universiade are a unique experience for the global sports community, FISU Secretary General/CEO Eric Saintrond stated during the press conference on Friday, January 18th.

The press conference dedicated to the results of Kazan’s preparations for the 27th Summer Universiade in the year 2012 and remainder of the planned works in the build-up to the Games was attended by Tatarstan’s Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism Rafis Burganov, 1st Vice-President of FISU and RSSU President Oleg Matytsin, FISU Secretary General/CEO Eric Saintrond, 1st Deputy Director General of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Azat Kadyrov, as well as Shamil Tarpischev, member of the IOC Executive Board.

Rafis Burganov

According Rafis Burganov, with 168 days to go to the start of the Summer Universiade, the construction of the Games infrastructure is almost complete. Only two venues – Aquatics Palace and 45,000-seat football stadium – remain unfinished. According to the Minister, management and delivery of the Universiade competitions and workforce training become a priority in the months left before July 2013. He also added that nearly 10,000 student athletes and delegation officials from the estimated 13,500 already applied to compete at the Games. The application process in terms of the countries is in full swing as well with 118 nations confirming their participation in the Summer Universiade. Moreover, the number of medal events at the 2013 Summer Universiade (351) exceeds the same number at previous World University Games and even at Summer Olympics whose participants are also expected to compete at the Kazan Universiade. “We anticipate a strong athlete turnout and must ensure an adequate preparation and competition management in return,” Rafis Burganov concluded.

Oleg Matytsin

“Those days that are left until the Summer Universiade will be mainly dedicated to workforce training,” said 1st Vice-President of FISU Oleg Matytsin. “No matter how powerful our complexes and infrastructure are, everything depends on people, on their skills, experience and well-coordinated work”.  According to him, thanks to the World University Games thousands of young and talented people will get a once-in-a-lifetime experience and enrich their professional expertise.

The Kazan 2013 project is a unique one, Oleg Matytsin said. “The level of preparation that Kazan demonstrates is a very good example of cooperation with the global sports community,” he said and added that organising committees of future World University Games will surely have a very strong demand for this experience. Oleg Matytsin also informed that methodical efforts are being taken to build the national team for the Games and added that preliminary lists of student-athletes that can qualify for Team Russia have already been drawn up. According to him, Olympians and Olympiс medallists are also expected to take part in the Games. Given the high-profile international status the Summer Universiade enjoys, they will be fully motivated to win. Test events, which are held in the run-up to the Games, also contribute to athletes’ preparation for July 2013.

Eric Saintrond mentioned that the time left to go to the Games will be dedicated to details and added that almost all Universiade venues deserve to be praised and will be surely greatly appreciated by athletes. He also stressed that for the first time in the history of FISU one of key venues of the World University Games – the Universiade Village – was constructed long before the start of the Games. It is ready to host Games participants even as we speak.

During the talk with journalists he also informed that FISU signed an agreement on TV coverage of live action from the Kazan Universiade on Eurosport channel and is currently working to provide broadcasting in North and South Americas. “Eurosport will feature 80 hours of coverage. It was an agreement reached by FISU. We’ve also signed a contract for TV coverage in all Americas. We can guarantee today the live streaming of the Games worldwide.”

Eric Saintrond also said that the International University Sports Federation prepares an agreement with Tissot, the potential marketing partner for the 27th Summer Universiade.

Azat Kadyrov

For his part, Azat Kadyrov gave a thumb-up to Kazan 2013 volunteers’ hard work in the build-up to the Games and elaborated on some aspects of the ticketing programme. According to him, all those who are eager to witness the major sporting event in the history of modern Russia with their own eyes, can buy tickets online at affordable prices. The lowest price for a ticket will be 30 rubles. “Right now the Kazan 2013 organisers do everything to ensure comfortable conditions for athletes and visitors to the Games, and citizens of Kazan as well. Since the Summer Universiade is hard work only for the organisers, for citizens of Kazan and sports enthusiasts all over the country the Games must become a real celebration. That’s why I call on our citizens not to leave Kazan for the period of the Games but take a chance to experience first-hand the heat and spectacularity of the competitions and support Team Russia,” said Azat Kadyrov.

Shamil Tarpischev

Shamil Tarpischev who arrived in Kazan with the purpose of implementing an education project at the Volga Region Academy of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism stressed the importance of sports development in the country: “It’s a victory for the country, for Tatarstan that such an event will be hosted here”. According to him, university sport is the very thing the country needs and the Kazan Universiade will be an important stage of university sports development. “Thanks to FISU for their trust. I think that as far as the plans are concerned everything will be accomplished. I hope that success of these Games will be unquestionable,” Shamil Tarpischev summed up.

The press conference also addressed the issues regarding Games broadcasting, comparison of previous Universiade experiences, public transportation, etc.

(Source: Kazan 2013 Media Dept.)