Universiade Flame welcomed with Cheers and Drumbeats in Ulyanovsk

ULYANOVSK – On June 11, the Flame of the 27th Summer Universiade arrived in the next city on the route of the Torch Relay in Russia – Ulyanovsk. The Universiade symbol was greeted hospitably to the accompaniment of drumbeats.

Ulyanovsk became the 24th Russian city to be visited by the Universiade Torch. The honour of carrying the Flame through the capital of the Ulyanovsk Oblast was given to top students of the region, members of the government and famous athletes, among them Evgeny Golovanov, Merited Master of Sport in Greco-Roman Wrestling, Russian champion and Deaflympics champion, and world kickboxing champion and World Cup winner Andrey Khovrin, as well as volunteers, representatives of youth organisations and partner companies of the Summer Universiade. The honour of kicking off the Torch Relay went to Vladimir Buyanov, Honoured Worker of Physical Culture and Sport of the Russian Federation, Merited Coach of the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic and President of the Russian University Table Tennis League. In all, 50 Torchbearers carried the main symbol of the World University Games in Ulyanovsk.

“I would gladly run it again,” said Torchbearer Arthur Khamidullin, top athlete of the Ulyanovsk Oblast Volleyball Federation in 2012. “I loved running with the torch, and on top of that you have wonderful Flame Keepers, and I had a nice chat with them during my leg. I have never experienced in my life the emotions I’m feeling now. These feelings are unparalleled! “

The Torch Relay in Ulyanovsk covered 6,600 metres and passed through the main streets and squares of the city. The Relay kicked off at the stadium of Ulyanovsk State Technical University and ended at the stadium of Ulyanovsk State University, where the lighting of the City Cauldron took place.

The Torch Relay festivities in Ulyanovsk were attended by Deputy Chair of the Ulyanovsk Oblast Government Tamara Devyatkina, Mayor of Ulyanovsk Marina Bespalova and Tatarstan Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Artyom Sidorov.

Devyatkina welcomed the Relay participants on behalf of the Ulyanovsk Oblast Government. “For Ulyanovsk, being a host to the Universiade Flame is not only an honour but also a chance to become the host city of the World University Games in the future,” Devyatkina said. “The region has done a lot to develop university sports. New sports facilities are being built.”

Tamara Devyatkina receives a souvenir torch from Tatarstan Minister Artyom Sidorov

“Today is a great day. In the year when the city marks its 365th anniversary, we welcome the Universiade Flame to our land. This Flame should light not only the City Cauldron but also your hearts – with energy, goodness and warmth,” said Marina Bespalova.

“The Universiade Flame has already visited five continents on our planet, and now it is travelling throughout Russia. I am pleased that today the heart of the Volga Region, Ulyanovsk, meets the main symbol of the Universiade,” said Artyom Sidorov. “Ulyanovsk is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. And the large number of sports facilities, as well as universities and schools proves that. Youth policy is actively implemented here, and it is becoming popular to play sports. I wish victory to the residents of Ulyanovsk who will be on the Russian team at the Universiade.” Sidorov also thanked the city for a warm welcome given to the Torch Relay in Ulyanovsk, and presented souvenir torches.

The next city to host the Universiade Torch Relay is the capital of Mordovia, Saransk.

(Source: Kazan 2013 Media Dept.)