NOVOSIBIRSK – The Flame of the 27th Summer Universiade was given a warm welcome upon its arrival in Novosibirsk on 15 May. The most populous city of Siberia, which is also one of the largest scientific and student centres of Russia, became the 6th destination of the Universiade Torch Relay on Russian soil. 34 Torchbearers, among them the region’s best students, athletes, as well as representatives of the 2013 Summer Universiade’s partner companies, carried the Flame as people packed the streets to watch the Torch Relay pass through the city.
The Universiade Torch Relay kicked off in Novosibirsk State University where the Flame arrived under the escort of the Flame Keepers.
“We’ve been safekeeping and accompanying the Flame from one city to another, and today we are happy to bring this amazing symbol of the Universiade to Novosibirsk, where it arrived from Volgograd,” said Vladimir Zhemer, one of the Flame Keepers. “As you know, the Flame is a symbol of peace, friendship and student solidarity.”
Deputy Governor of the Novosibirsk Region Sergey Kolonchin, Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tatarstan Engel Fattakhov, Head of the Administration of the Sovetsky City District of Novosibirsk Valery Schwarzkopp, as well as Sergey Netesov, Acting Rector of Novosibirsk State University, were present at the ceremonial lighting of the first runner’s torch.
“Novosibirsk is the city of students, the city of sports victories. Having carried the Flame through higher education institutions of the city today, we will become one team,” said Sergey Kolonchin. “We are proud of you and we want our athletes who will compete at the Universiade in Kazan to earn gold medals they deserve.” As ‘Gaudeamus Igitur’ was played, the flag of the 27th Summer Universiade attached to helium balloons was sent into the air and the first torch was lit and handed to Viktor Karma, the winner and medallist at the All-Russian Judo Competitions.
The Novosibirsk leg of the Universiade Torch Relay was divided into 4 big stages with a total length of 8,080 metres. It started from the nationally-renowned Akademgorodok (science campus) of Novosibirsk State University. 34 Torchbearers – the region’s best students, athletes, and volunteers, as well as representatives of the Relay’s partners, carried the Universiade Torch through Novosibirsk State Technical University, Siberian University of Consumer Cooperation, Siberian State Transport University, Novosibirsk State Medical University, Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, and Siberian State University of Telecommunications and Information as crowds of locals lined the streets to see the Torch Relay pass through practically the entire city.
“The excitement that you feel seconds before the Universiade Flame is handed to you is beyond words!” Maria Tissen, the medallist at the 2012 Novosibirsk University Championship, shared her impression. “You are in the spotlight because you are the one carrying the Universiade symbol. It’s very emotional and exciting to be a torchbearer.”
“It’s a great honour for me to carry the Universiade Flame,” said Larisa Moleganova, Director of Forward’s Regional Representative Office in the Novosibirsk Region, Tomsk Region, and Altai Territory, after she ran her leg. “I feel proud and patriotic. The Universiade leaves no room for doubt that Russia is a great power. Victories won by young athletes are more than personal achievements, as by earning these victories they glorify our homeland, it’s the honour of our country.”
The Torch Relay culminated in the lighting of the City Cauldron in one of Novosibirsk’s main squares, in front of the entrance to the library of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Attending the ceremony were Vasily Yurchenko, Governor of the Novosibirsk Region; Vladimir Gorodetsky, Mayor of Novosibirsk; Engel Fattakhov, Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Russian State Duma deputy Alexander Karelin.
“The Universiade Flame has had a long journey and today it’s on our land, in Siberia. I’m positive that the Universiade in Kazan will be an unforgettable celebration of the spirit of youth and sporting excellence,” said Vasily Yurchenko.
“I’m glad to be here with you and to welcome the Universiade Flame in our city,” said Alexander Karelin. “The Universiade Flame brought together nice people who love sports and cherish our country. I would like to wish Kazan not only new sports venues but also the utter joy that comes from meeting students from all over the world.”
Engel Fattakhov, Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tatarstan, extended his warmest greetings to citizens of Novosibirsk on behalf of the President and the multinational people of the Republic of Tatarstan: “We expect 13,000 athletes and up to 20,000 volunteers for the Games. I would like to thank Novosibirsk for a warm welcome given to the Universiade Flame. We are looking forward to seeing you at the Universiade in Kazan.” After the speech, Engel Fattakhov presented Vasily Yurchenko, Governor of the Novosibirsk Region, and Mayor of Novosibirsk Vladimir Gorodetsky with replicas of the 2013 Summer Universiade Torch.
Next destination of the Universiade Flames is Tyumen. In the weeks to come the Flame will visit Yekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Arkhangelsk, Stavropol, Pyatigorsk, Sochi, Rostov-on-Don, St. Petersburg, Vladimir, Moscow, Perm, Izhevsk, Kirov, Nizhny Novgorod, Yoshkar-Ola, Cheboksary, Ulyanovsk, Saransk, Penza, Saratov, Samara, Orenburg, Ufa and pass through 43 municipal districts of the Republic of Tatarstan, finishing its odyssey in Kazan on July 6th, on the opening day of the 2013 Summer Universiade. 2,013 Torchbearers will carry the Universiade Torch as it will make its way all over the country.
(Source: Kazan 2013 Media Dept.)
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