Krasnoyarsk 2019 sports facilities bustle with activity during Siberian summer

KRASNOYARSK – With the Siberian days in their full summer swing, the facilities of the 29^th Winter Universiade are being put to good use by locals, summer holiday goers and elite sportspersons alike.

After the successful hosting of the 29^th Winter Universiade, the new sports venues built for the event continue to be a place of kinestetic flurry. Locals and holiday goers have been making notable use since the Universiade, particularly at the Biathlon Academy’s multifunctional sports complex, the Raduga “Rainbow” Cluster and the Crystal Ice Arena.

Meticulously planned to be a hub of activity once the snow left the cross-country and ski orienteering-inspired trails, the Raduga Cluster’s spacious 50-meter pool has been open to the public, with free entry for all users. There’s also swimming lessons taking place at certain hours of every day, so who knows, maybe the next Alexander Popov might be getting their start in this 10-lane pool today.

As a sport combining power with endurance perhaps its not surprising that Krasnoyarsk’s Biathlon Academy has seen frequent use not only on the paved roller ski track and trails for running, but also in the gym. Local residents have been using the spacious indoor training rooms, well equipped with cardiovascular and weight training equipment – all open for 15 hours in the day.

The venue has also seen everyone from amateurs to professionals play tennis and table tennis on the outdoor courts – and is getting plenty of action, from dawn to dusk.

As the home of #realwinter, the city of Krasnoyarsk has been encouraging its residents to lace up the ice skates this summer at the Crystal Ice Arena. While there is rentals and lessons on the weekends are open as well for mass participation open skate sessions.

With modern ski slopes now sitting inside the city limits, interest in the Bobrovy Log Ski Resort doesn’t end once the alpine season finally ends in May. This summer the roedelbahn – a kind of downhill forest rollercoaster – along with an outside outdoor swimming pool paired with the occasional concert series has made the place a four-seasons stop. Being situated just below the not-to-be-missed Stolby Nature Reserve and its labyrinth of hiking trails doesn’t hurt the ski area’s summer scene, either.

Without a doubt, the Siberian hub of sports and schools is already building upon the great legacy of the Universiade in ways that are generating notice around the globe.

“This is what we strive so hard with our host cities, to see the long-term positive impacts holding university sports events has, particularly for students and local residents,” FISU Secretary General – CEO Eric Saintrond said. “We follow the developments in our former host cities with great interest and pride. What is taking place in Krasnoyarsk since the Winter Universiade 2019 is something to witness.”

Curling elite coming to the Crystal Ice Arena

This coming February, Krasnoyarsk’s Crystal Ice Arena will host the World Junior Curling Championships 2020.  Listening to World Curling President, Kate Caithness, the city’s successful run during the 29th Winter Universiade left an impression on the curlers and the sport federation.

“Krasnoyarsk proved to be an excellent host for the recent Winter Universiade and we are delighted to take another curling event there next season,” Caithness said. “I am in no doubt that the success of the Winter Universiade will be replicated for our young junior athletes.”

Krasnoyarsk a burgeoning sports events hosting city — in both winter and summer seasons

Next March, Krasnoyarsk will host the FIS Freestyle World Cup stages with aerials and mogul competitions on the Sopka Cluster tracks.

Russia will be home to the first stages of the FIS World Cup in January 2020, with aerials competitions in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In February, ski cross will take to the slopes of the Chelyabinsk region, while the final stages are reserved for their grand finale in Krasnoyarsk, from 7-8 March.

Count two-time Universiade gold medalist Alexandra Romanovskaya as one anticipating her return to Siberia.

“The Sopka Cluster is an ideal place for freestyle and snowboard competitions, I haven’t seen anything like it yet,” the Belarusian Olympian and reigning world champion said. “In particular, the compact track layout is impressive for all freestyle and snowboard disciplines.”

2022 FIVB World Volleyball Championship coming to Krasnoyarsk

It’s not only the snow and ice sports that have their eye on bringing their competitions here as Krasnoyarsk was recently selected by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) as one of eight homes of the 2022 World Volleyball Championship.

The Ivan Yarygin Sports Palace of curling fame during the Krasnoyarsk 2019 Winter Universiade will be home court for some of the 24 strongest national volleyball teams on the planet. The historic venue was revamped in the lead-up to the Winter Universiade, enabling it to easily be transformed from a curling arena to volleyball, basketball, futsal or wrestling venue.

The men’s volleyball final from the Napoli 2019 Summer Universiade 

“We are pleased to announce that the men’s 2022 World Cup will be held in the largest, most beautiful and iconic Russian cities,” FIVB President Ari Graça Filio said. “Each of them has a sports arena suitable for world-class matches, and an excellent infrastructure that guarantees the best conditions for athletes. 

“Volleyball is very popular in Russia, and the World Cup in cities across the country will allow fans to enjoy their favorite sport in their region, thereby helping to further increase the popularity of the sport and leave a great volleyball legacy,” added Filio. “Russia has a proven track record of holding top-level volleyball tournaments. Thus, I am sure that we will have an unforgettable world championship.”