Krasnoyarsk 2019 legacy grows stronger

From 2 to 12 March 2019, Krasnoyarsk hosted the first-ever Winter Universiade in the history of Russia. The highly successful edition of the Universiade left a legacy of world-class modern sports venues that are now being used for the development of mass sport, high performance sport, preparation of sport reserves, as well as competitions at national and international levels.

Among the sports venues built and reconstructed for the Universiade were the Crystal Ice Arena, Yenisei Ice Stadium, Sopka and Raduga clusters, Platinum Arena Ice Arena, Funpark Bobrovy Log All Season Sports and Entertainment Park, Biathlon Academy Multifunctional Complex, Arena Sever Multifunctional Complex, Ivan Yarygin Sports Palace, Central Stadium, Rassvet Ice Palace and Pervomaisky Ice Arena.

The Sopka Cluster by nightThe new modern sports venues in Krasnoyarsk helped turn the city into a contender for hosting all-Russian and international competitions. In December 2019, the Russian Figure Skating Championship took place at Platinum Arena Ice Arena.

In February 2020, the Crystal Ice Arena will host the World Junior Curling Championships, and in March 2020, Sopka Cluster courses will host the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup Stages. Also, in the first half of 2020, the final competitions of the 10th Russian Winter Spartakiade among students and the 6th All-Russian Winter Universiade will take place in Krasnoyarsk. In addition, in 2021, Krasnoyarsk will become the host city of the All-Russian Spartakiade for people with disabilities.

“The Winter Universiade 2019 has left a rich legacy for our territory,” said Maxim Urazov, who led the preparation and delivery of the Winter Universiade 2019. “The success of the Universiade inspired many sports federations, and immediately after the Winter Universiade 2019, Krasnoyarsk was entrusted to deliver several major international competitions. New venues, modern infrastructure, as well as knowledge and tremendous expertise gained during the Games, will now be used to organise more major events in Krasnoyarsk.”

Russian Figure Skating ChampionshipsThanks to the Winter Universiade 2019 legacy programme, residents of Krasnoyarsk received new sports venues for practicing not only winter, but also all-season sports, including  team sports. The Universiade venues are in active use by athletes of regional and municipal sports schools, sports schools of the Olympic reserve for winter and summer sports.

Since 1 September 2019, the number of participating students of regional sports institutions, in ice hockey, bandy, figure skating, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing and snowboard, has increased by more than a thousand people. An additional intake of students was conducted for the departments of basketball, volleyball, rhythmic gymnastics and curling. In addition, the first short track speed skating department was opened in Krasnoyarsk.

The Winter Universiade 2019 sports venues operate not only for professional and beginner athletes, but also for all Krasnoyarsk residents leading towards a healthy lifestyle.

The ice venues offer mass skating sessions for all, the snow venue courses are available for snowboard and ski lovers. In addition, Krasnoyarsk residents and guests can visit the gyms and swimming pools that are part of the complexes of the Winter Universiade 2019.