Ilsur Metshin: "The Universiade Flame has warmed the hearts of millions around the...

(KZN.RU, July 18, by Renat Shirmanov) The 27th World Summer Universiade of 2013 has been officially declared closed. The Kazan Universiade Flame has warmed the hearts of millions around the world and, at the same time, has changed the capital of Tatarstan and its inhabitants for the better. This was announced by Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin during the transfer of the FISU (International University Sports Federation) Flag to the delegation of the South Korean city of Gwangju – the host city of the next Summer Universiade.

"Today ends the biggest sporting event of the year, and probably the biggest event in the 1,000-year history of Kazan. It was an honor for us to host the World Student Games. I want to thank everyone for the atmosphere of youth, passion and self-confidence that you gave Kazan," said the mayor of the capital of Tatarstan.

On behalf of all the residents of Kazan, Ilsur Metshin thanked President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the Russian government, headed by Dmitry Medvedev, for their continued support, without which Kazan would have been unable to realize its ideas.

"Thank you, everyone, who took part in this venture – everyone who built the roads, renovated the historical neighborhoods, who ensured safety; thank you to the actors and stage directors who have given us this wonderful feast. Special thanks to the athletes, coaches and volunteers. They have always shared their enthusiasm and goodwill with us. These 12 days have been a real triumph of the ideals of sports, beauty and harmony. They have changed Kazan for good. Twice as many people are playing sports today in Kazan than ever before; the Universiade Village is one of the best in the country. I am confident that the legacy of the Games will continue to promote sports," said the mayor.

Ilsur Metshin noted that the 2013 Universiade Flame had united and warmed millions of people across the planet. "Symbolically, this happened in Kazan – a city in which 116 nationalities and ethnic groups live in peace and friendship. During these days, we felt like one big happy family. All countries which have sent us their delegations are close to us," said the mayor of Kazan.

Ilsur Metshin reminded that during the 2013 Universiade, 66 Universiade records were established, 38 of them by the Russian athletes.

"But this is not the most important thing. We saw a new model of the world, where competition is possible only in the sports arena. Thank you for making the world kinder and warmer during these days. For us, it's a feast with a touch of sadness. We had been waiting for this and were able to execute our plans. On behalf of all the residents of Kazan, I would like to say thank you all! Now our city has millions of friends, and we're saying “see you soon” to them,” said the mayor of the capital of Tatarstan.

FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien thanked the organizers of the 27th World Summer Universiade for holding the best games ever and noted the great scale of the Student Games. In the end, Claude-Louis Gallien officially announced the Kazan Universiade closed.

The culmination of the closing ceremony was the transfer of the FISU Flag. Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin handed the symbol of college sports to Kang Un-tae – the mayor of the South Korean city of Gwangju, where the next Summer Universiade will be held in 2015.