Krasnoyarsk 2019 legacy lights up sports in region

The legacy of the Krasnoyarsk 2019 Winter Universiade gets stronger with time. Just about six months after the biggest multi-winter sport extravaganza was held in the heart of Siberia, the venues of the 29^th Winter Universiade are adding to the region’s reputation as a sporty one.

2022 Wrestling World Championships in PLATINUM ICE ARENA

It was already announced earlier that Krasnoyarsk’s Crystal Ice Arena will host the World Junior Curling Championships 2020. In an exciting development for sports managers in the region, the Winter Universiade 2019 experience is now likely to help Krasnoyarsk host the 2022 Wrestling World Championships.

With the transport system, hotels, F&B services, medical facilities already in place thanks to the Universiade, as well as the newly refurbished Krasnoyarsk International Airport, Krasnoyarsk seems to have passed United World Wrestling’s assessment with flying colours. The Platinum Ice Arena, one of the main venues of the Universiade is expected to host the event.

The Executive Director of the Russian Wrestling Federation Alexander Derevyanko agreed that the Winter Universiade 2019 had brought the region’s organisational potential to a new level. “We have confidence in the professionalism of the regional team in organising major sports events. We discussed all the possible aspects and details of arrivals and departures, accommodation, F&B, training and competitions delivery. And we were pleasantly impressed that in each functional area, there are already specialists in charge. Usually it has to be created from scratch,” said Derevyanko.

While the final decision is pending, Krasnoyarsk is confident of its bid.

Girls enrol in Yenisei Bandy School for the first time

 Meanwhile, the Yenisei Ice Stadium continues to throb with Bandy activity, as friendly games took place recently between the Yenisei Bandy Club and Sweden’s national team. The Yenisei Ice Stadium, that was built for the Winter Universiade 2019, hosted three games.

Bandy was included in the Winter Universiade programme for the first time in the history of the event, during Krasnoyarsk 2019 and it turned out to be one of the most popular competitions. The Swedish women’s team won their final against Russia, while the Russians took a well-earned victory in the men’s final. That Bandy gold was in fact the 100th medal of the host country at the Universiade.

Thanks to that popularity, girls have started enrolling in the Yenisei Bandy School for the first time. Everything will be provided for the girls, including equipment.

“Everything is done from the scratch,” said Mikhail Pydyk, Deputy Director of Yenisei Sports School of Olympic Reserve. “We welcome absolutely everyone, regardless of age and skill level. After three or four years of training, we will have a team that will set an example for others to follow.”

The indoor stadium, purpose built for the Winter Universiade 2019, allows training almost all year round.