Universiade Torch Relay arrives in Hero City of Volgograd

Airat Shafigullin

VOLGOGRAD – On 9 May, the day when Russia was celebrating the 68th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945, the Hero City of Volgograd gave a warm welcome to the Flame of the 27th Summer Universiade. It was the 5th city to greet the Universiade Torch Relay on Russian soil.

The Torch Relay started off immediately after the completion of the spectacular Victory Day Parade in Square of Fallen Fighters (Pavshikh Bortsov Square). After a welcome speech by Governor of the Volgograd Region Sergei Bozhenov, the Universiade Flame headed out on a journey through the streets and squares of the Hero City. 42 Torchbearers – the best students of Volgograd – carried it passing to each other. Crowds of locals lined up the streets to welcome the Universiade Flame, greeting the bearers with cheers, applause and a burst of camera flashes. 

The concert on the occasion of the Torch Relay’s arrival in Volgograd was attended by the Russian State Duma Deputy, member of the Russian Student Sport Union (RSSU) Executive Committee Ildar Gilmutdinov, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Protection of the Republic of Tatarstan Airat Shafigullin, Minister of Sports and Tourism of the Volgograd Region Sergey Popikov, and Kirill Davydov, Director of the Volgograd Branch of MegaFon, the General Partner of the 27th Summer Universiade 2013 in Kazan and the Russian leg of the Universiade Torch Relay. 

“It was thanks to the efforts of the President and Government of the Republic of Tatarstan and full support from the President of Russia and the Government of the Russian Federation that the Universiade was made possible”, said Ildar Gilmutdinov. “This summer we expect up to 13,000 young athletes. We do a lot to develop and strengthen university sports.” Ildar Gilmutdinov also thanked the administration of the Volgograd Region for their assistance in delivering the Torch Relay events and presented the Museum of Natural History of Volgograd with a replica of the 2013 Summer Universiade Torch.  

Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Protection of the Republic of Tatarstan Airat Shafigullin extended his warmest greetings to the audience on behalf of the President of Tatarstan. “Volgograd is one of the major student centres of Russia with an enormous number of universities and students that showcase strong performance in sports”, said Airat Shafigullin. “They earn titles and we place our hopes on university sport because future belongs to it.”

“It’s very symbolic that we were honoured to host the Universaide Torch Relay at this precise day,” said Sergey Popikov. “Two weeks ago we’ve been to Kazan and were impressed by your sports venues. I’m confident that the Universiade in Kazan will be the best ever held!”

“MegaFon has always been supporting sporting events in Russia. The Universiade is a launch pad for future Olympic champions,” said Kirill Davydov, Director of the Volgograd Branch of MegaFon. “The Universiade Torch Relay is not just a dramatic tradition but also a tradition that brings the magic and spirit of the Games to thousands of people across Russia.”

The Torchbearers also shared their experiences. “I’m overwhelmed with emotion! I feel proud and happy that I had the honour of being part of this event,” said Inessa Kozhanova, Acting Deputy Director for Partner and Retail Sales of the Volgograd Branch of OAO SOGAZ. “I’m very glad to see how positively citizens of Volgograd react to the Universiade Flame, how they cheer it and are excited about it!”

The Torch Relay will continue its journey in the following days. Next stop is Novosibirsk on 15 May. 

(Source: Kazan 2013 Media Dept.)