Kazan 2013 OC presents its Activity Report at HoD Meeting

Kazan Arena

KAZAN – In this 3rd day of the Meeting of the Heads of Delegation of the 2013 SU in Kazan, the OC presented its progress report to the 54 countries present. This meeting was attended by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov.

FISU, represented by its President Claude-Louis Gallien, 1^st Vice-President Oleg Matytsin, Secretary General Eric Saintrond, as well as Kemal Tamer, FISU CSU Chair and Marc Vandenplas, Director of Summer Universiade, while the Kazan 2013 OC was represented by Natalya Parshikova, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Sports of Russia; Ilsur Methsin, Mayor of Kazan; Vladimir Leonov, Director General of the Kazan 2013 Directorate; Azat Kadyrov, First Deputy Managing Director who welcomed the delegates at a plenary session.

Several important issues were discussed during this presentation, i.e. accreditation, transportation and catering of delegations, the progress of the work of the Universiade venues as well as issues concerning the sports.

Aquatics Palace

Lawrence Rink, Chair of the FISU Medical Committee and Kallio Tapio, member of the FISU Medical Committee and coordinator for the Summer Universiade, then gave a presentation on medical issues.

President Gallien & President MinnikhanovIn the afternoon, the Heads of Delegation visited seven competition venues: the “Ak Bars Wrestling Palace”, the “Aquatics Palace”, the “Kazan Stadium Arena”, the “Tatneft Arena”, the “Olymp Sports Hall “the” Olymp Swimming Pool “and” Olymp Stadium”.

The “Ak Bars Wrestling Palace” also hosted the Russian University Belt Wrestling Championship which was witnessed by Natalya Parshikova, Claude-Louis Gallien, Oleg Matytsin and Marat Bariev, Secretary General of the Russian Olympic Committee.

The majority of the delegations were strongly impressed by the “Aquatics Palace” structure of almost 50,000 m² which will host the competitions of swimming, synchronized swimming and diving.

“This is undoubtedly the largest sports facility that I ever saw,” said Oskar Rosa, Deputy Head of Mission of the Polish delegation who also added that “all facilities are spectacular and the Village is close to most of the sports venues, which is a very positive point. I’m sure we will see great Games. “

Gary Cunningham, Head of Delegation of the USA said: “The Organising Committee has done a really great job. The Athletes’ Village is beautiful and very comfortable. I’m looking forward to attend the 27th Universiade.”

“Everything looks good and facilities fully comply with international standards. All sports venues seem almost ready for the Universiade. Our delegation will be present in numbers and I hope that we will bring home many medals”, said Andrew Hibbert, GBR Head of Delegation.

The day ended with a reception hosted by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, in hotel Korston where the FISU Family will stay during the Universiade.

The final day of the HoD Meeting will host a general meeting where delegates will have the opportunity to ask questions to the Kazan 2013 OC. Then, the Organizing Committee of the 28th Summer Universiade Gwangju will also present its 2015 event. The draw of the team sports that will also take place during this meeting and will be hosted by FISU Secretary General Eric Saintrond. A press conference by the Organizing Committee will conclude the HoD Meeting on Saturday April 6th.

(Source: David Vandenplas, Media Assistant)