I.Metshin: "Kazan is changing rapidly in anticipation of the Student Games"

(KZN.RU, September 20, by Renat Shirmanov) Kazan is changing rapidly in anticipation of the 2013 Universiade. Less than a year remains to utilize world experience and to conduct the World Summer Student Games at the highest level. This was announced by Mayor of the capital of Tatarstan Ilsur Metshin during a meeting of the Executive Committee of the International University Sports Federation (FISU).

"We are working hard to make the 2013 Universiade in Kazan a grand celebration of youth and sports, to bring together the youth of the world, and to make visitors’ stay in the capital of Tatarstan comfortable and memorable,” said Ilsur Metshin.

"Kazan continues to prepare for the upcoming event. Much attention is being paid to the improvement of the historic city center and areas along the routes of the Universiade. New roads, bridges, interchanges are being built in anticipation of the Universiade,” said the mayor.

The development of the infrastructure is especially important. A new rail terminal "Kazan-2" opened in August, and the reconstruction of the airport is underway. The hotel network is expanding. Currently, 14 hotels accommodating 2,000 visitors are at various stages of construction.

“The experience of conducting large-scale sporting events is very important to us. We visited the Olympic Games in London with the Russian delegation. This visit allowed us to gain invaluable experience in organizing large-scale sporting events. Obviously, preparation for such a significant event in a metropolis requires a lot of work. Only a year is left before we can implement the world's best practices in 2013 - in the days of the World Student Games,” said the Mayor of Kazan.

During the work of the FISU Executive Committee in Kazan, decisions taken by the Board in May 2012 will be approved, reports of internal divisions will be heard, including the report of the International Technical Committee on the world student championships held in the capital of Tatarstan.

Preparations for the 27th World Summer Universiade in Kazan and the 26th World Winter Student Games in Trentino (Italy) will also be discussed.