Assessing venues and award ceremonies play important part in WU 2019 inspection visit

KRASNOYARSK — After a whirlwind five days of inspections, FISU finished up their progress review of the venues and protocol plans for the 29th Winter Universiade, which is to take place in this Siberian city from the 2-12 March 2019.

The working visit was led by FISU First Vice-President Leonz Eder, with FISU Executive Committee member Fernando Parente, Winter Universiade Director Milan Augustin, FISU Winter Event Manager Jiho Kim, FISU Media Manager Torin Koos and FISU external protocol expert Tatiana Andrushka also in attendance, offering their  functional area expertise.

In addition to infrastructure inspections, important protocol issues like the plan of the Opening and Closing ceremonies were high of the list of importance for this visit as the Universiade is now less than 280 days away. These ceremonies,  and Figure Skating, will  take place at the Platinum Arena Ice Arena. This new arena is unlike any other in the Siberian region, offering a truly world-class venue for competitors and spectators alike. 

The FISU experts also visited Yenisei Ice Stadium, Crystal Ice Arena and Arena Sever Multifunctional Complex. During the Winter Universiade 2019, these venues will host competitions in Ice Hockey, Bandy and Short Track Speed Skating. The FISU representatives checked the way the awarding ceremonies of champions and prize winners will be organised at the venues.

During their visit to Funpark Bobrovy Log, the experts inspected the future press centre building and checked the preparation work for the awarding ceremonies at the venue. Funpark Bobrovy Log is an all-seasons sports and entertainment park that also acts as an entryway to the Stobly Natural Sanctuary, known for its dramatic, jutting complexes of rock formations in the Eastern Sayan Mountains.  During the Winter Universiade 2019, the venue with host the Alpine Skiing competions.

View from the top of the Alpine Skiing venue, looking down onto the city of Krasnoyarsk with the Stolby Natural Sanctuary directly behind 

While visiting Crystal Ice Arena, the FISU representatives noted the high intensity of work at the venue. “The guests inspected the changing rooms for the athletes, the spectator seats and the VIP area, the whole infrastructure for the spectators; and they assessed the high level of preparation at the venue,” said Pavel Kuzubov, Crystal Ice Arena Operational Director. “It is practically 95-percent ready. Besides, active work is already underway to improve the territory around the ice arena.”

As noted by the FISU First Vice-President Leonz Eder, the preparatory work for the Winter Universiade 2019 is on the right track. “You did a tremendous amount of work, building and restoring the existing sports facilities. To be honest, I am impressed. I can see that you are really doing your best to provide the top conditions for the athletes that will come to your city from all around the world. And I am positive that you will succeed. Of course, Kazan and Sochi, which have become well-known Russian sports cities, set high quality standards, but I am certain that after the Winter Universiade 2019 Krasnoyarsk will take its rightful place on the sports map not only of Russia, but of the entire world.”