FISU President officially opens Kazan Athletes’ Village

Kazan Mayor Metshin, Tatarstan President Minnikhanov,, Russian Minister of Sport Mutko, FISU President Gallien, RSSU President Matytsin & Village Mayor Abdulganiev

KAZAN – Today, June 29th, 2013, the Athletes Village for the Universiade in Kazan was officially opened in the presence of FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien, the FISU Secretary General/CEO Eric Saintrond and members of the Executive Committee as well as representatives of the Russian and Tatarstan governments including the Sports Minister of the Russian Federation Vitalyi Mutko, the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, the President of the Russian Union of University Sports (RSSU) Oleg Matytsin and the Mayor of the Athletes’ Village Farid Abdulganiev.

FISU President Gallien appreciates the Universiade Museum

After visiting the Athletes’ Village, the Main International Centre and the Universiade Museum, the attending VIPs witnessed cultural dance groups and singers. The ceremony ended with the speeches by Vitalyi Mutko, Claude-Louis Gallien, Rustam Minnikhanov, Ilsur Metshin, Oleg Matytsin and Farid Abdulganiev, followed by the Gaudeamus Igitur, the FISU anthem.

The village was then officially declared open in English by Claude-Louis Gallien, in Russian by Vitalyi Mutko and in Tatar by Rustam Minnikhanov.

Vitalyi Mutko, Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation: “I am convinced that the Universiade will be an engine of growth for the sport in Kazan.”

Metshin, Minnikhanov, Gallien & Mutko

Claude-Louis Gallien, FISU President: “The Athletes’ Village is fabulous and I’m sure Kazan will become the sports center of Russia thanks to five years of hard work and collaboration between the Kazan OC and FISU.”

Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan: “I thank all those involved in the organization and members of the Executive Committee of FISU without whom this would not have been possible. Through work, the facilities of the city of Kazan are fully modernized.”

Ilsur Metshin, Mayor of Kazan: “It is a pleasure to host the Universiade. I also thank all the people of the city of Kazan for their tolerance after five years of intense work. The Universiade will be one of the biggest ever held. “

Oleg Matytsin, RSSU President and FISU 1st Vice-President: “I am very pleased that the Universiade is held in Kazan and I am confident that it will serve the development of sport in Kazan but also throughout Russia.”

FISU President opens the Village

Farid Abdulganiev, Mayor of the Universiade Village: “Today, we open the Universiade Village and I hope with all my heart that it will be like a second home to you throughout the whole Universiade.”

FISU Media Dept.