WU 2019 Top-level meeting in Krasnoyarsk

FISU President Oleg Matytsin joins a top-level meeting to discuss preparations for the Krasnoyarsk 2019 Winter Universiade

Krasnoyarsk – FISU President Oleg Matytsin took part in a top-level meeting in Krasnoyarsk, chaired by Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin, to review progress of the preparations for the 2019 Winter Universiade and to mark two years to go to the event.

During the meeting, attended by leading Russian executives and officials (for instance, Aide to the President of Russia Igor Levitin, Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko, Minister of Sports Pavel Kolobkov, head of Norilsk Nickel Group Vladimir Potanin, Governor of the Krasnoyarsk region Viktor Tolokonsky were among participants), President Putin said:

“This will be the second time that Russia has hosted a Universiade and the first Winter Universiade for the country. Of course, this will not only be a major sports event for the Siberian region, but for the whole country.

“We are working to prepare the Universiade in close cooperation with the International University Sports Federation.”

FISU President Oleg Matytsin thanked Russian authorities for their attention to this project and noted, that the Universiade “is not just a sports project. For FISU this is also an educational and cultural event. Next year, for example, the FISU International Forum will be held here in Krasnoyarsk, attended by representatives of 150 countries”.

“We had a remarkable Winter Universiade in Almaty earlier this year, where we welcomed many future Olympic Winter Games athletes and world leaders of tomorrow. It is an exciting time for Krasnoyarsk and we are expecting an equally successful event here in two years’ time.”

The meeting highlighted the importance of the upcoming Universiade as an important factor of social, economic and infrastructural development of the city of Krasnoyarsk and the whole region.

From left to right: Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko, Minister of Sports Pavel Kolobkov, head of Norilsk Nickel, Vladimir Potanin, Governor of Krasnoyarsk Region Viktor Tolokonsky and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia

As President Putin said: “We already know that holding sports competitions of this scale and magnitude provides a powerful incentive for infrastructure development and investment in the host region. The Olympics in Sochi and the Universiade in Kazan changed these cities, creating opportunities to upgrade not only the sports infrastructure, but also the transport, tourist, cultural and social infrastructure.”

At the meeting, the Russian President also confirmed that the total budget of the Universiade is 40.5 billion rubles and includes “not only the construction and renovation of sports facilities but also a cultural programme and the training of volunteers”.

Krasnoyarsk, which is Siberia’s largest economic centre, is also a centre for Siberian sport. Winter sports have always been extremely popular in the region and another major event, the World Ski Orienteering Championships, is set to start in Krasnoyarsk on March 5. The event will further demonstrate Krasnoyarsk’s ability to host international sports events.

Before yesterday’s meeting, President Putin was also shown the layout of the facilities for the Universiade, including mock-ups of a new airport complex, a new sports training centre, a new sports arena and a downhill skiing centre.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin leading the meeting

President Putin commented: “Today we had another look at the construction plans, and I really liked the layout. All the facilities will be located in a compact group within walking distance from each other […] just a few kilometres from the city centre.”

The issue of doping, which has been shaking the world of sports in the recent years, has also been addressed during the meeting. President Vladimir Putin has flatly denied any allegations of the state involvement in doping scandals, saying: “Russia has never had, and I hope will never have a state system supporting doping. On the contrary, Russia will only combat doping.”

President Putin also stressed: “We must also work to ensure that doping does not arise in youth and student sport. These young people are just at the start of their sports careers. We will do everything needed to organise positive, active and effective work with all our partners, including WADA and the International Olympic Committee.”

In his turn, FISU President highlighted the efforts which FISU is making to ensure the clean competitions at all levels of university sport, with widespread athlete education. According to Mr Matytsin, anti-doping prevention is no less important than testing and sanctions, hence the necessity of further promoting the joint FISU-WADA textbook for students.