2013 SU Update: Universiade Preparations Ahead of Schedule

KAZAN – The dates of the 27th World University Summer Games were approved at the Kazan 2013 Organizing Committee’s visiting session, that took place in Kazan on May 23rd. The scheduled timetable of the 2013 Summer Universiade is July 6-17, 2013.

Vitaly Mutko, Minister of Sports, Tourism and Youth Policy, started the meeting with the report on approval of dates of the 27th World Universirty Summer Games. These dates will be presented at the FISU EC Meeting in Lausanne on May 26^th to 28^th.

Later on, Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation took the floor to deliver a report on Kazan’s transport plan for the 2013 Summer Universiade.

Natalia Parshikova, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Sports, Tourism and Youth Policy of the Russian Federation, gave an overview of the Russian student squad’s training program for the 27th World University Summer Games and draft plan of test events. She also made a report on implementation progress of departmental concepts for the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan.

Director General of the Sports Broadcasting Organization Vasily Kiknadze delivered a report on the Kazan Universiade’s TV broadcast preparations and management.

The FISU Flag Transfer Ceremonу at the 2011 Summer Universiade in Shenzhen was presented by Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin. Igor Shuvalov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, stressed the importance of this event. «The top-priority goal is a decent performance and maximal presentation of Russia’s cultural diversity», he said taking the matter under personal control.

It was also reported that two more sports could be included in the Kazan Universiade program: greco-roman wrestling and freestyle wrestling.

During the question and answer session Igor Shuvalov replied, «As always, when we visit Kazan, the city showcases new progress, new venues. The preparations are ahead of schedule. Today we were considering questions related to the national team’s preparation and means for promoting healthy lifestyle two years prior to the Games in the best possible way, as well as modes of cooperation with Russian higher education institutions». Apart from that, the Kazan 2013 OC Chair announced the approved dates of the 27th World University Summer Games. The Kazan Universiade will be held on July 6th-17th. Giving a comment on inclusion of new sports in the Kazan 2013 program, the First Deputy Chairman stated that all the OC members had voted for inclusion of these sports in the Games program, but it would be implemented in case it didn’t require increase of the Kazan Universiade’s budget.

Igor Shuvalov also mentioned that Kazan’s modern and well-developed infrastructure enabled Tatarstan to stage the most top-class events, either sporting, economic or social ones.

Summing up the session, Rustam Minnikhanov stated, «As far as sport venues are concerned, practically all facilities, except for the new football stadium and Aquatics Centre, will be put into operation this year.» Speaking about transport and road infrastructure, development of which is one of the most important stages of the Games preparations, the Tatarstan President remarked that main works were scheduled for the next two years.

(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate)