I. Metshin: "After the Olympics, Sochi will become a new growth point of Russia"

(KZN.RU, February 17, by Renat Shirmanov) The Universiade legacy works for the benefit of Kazan residents. This was announced by Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, who took part in a video conference dedicated to the legacy of the 2013 Universiade. The teleconference linked the Kazan Palace of Water Sports and the Media Center in Sochi, where the biggest sporting event – the 22nd Winter Olympic Games – is taking place these days.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism Rafis Burganov spoke from the capital of the Olympics. He noted that the contests were being held at the highest level. According to the minister, the Games organizers were greatly helped by the experience of Kazan, which hosted the best ever Universiade last year.

"Thanks to the Games, we have a rich heritage. In the first place – it is the well-developed sports infrastructure. None of our facilities are idle because they are all located in areas with high population density," said Rafis Burganov.

He also stressed that the successful experience of Kazan in large-scale international events suggests that in the near future, a federal training center for sports volunteers will be established in the capital of Tatarstan. This issue is being considered at the level of the Government of the Russian Federation.

In reply, Ilsur Metshin congratulated the residents of Sochi and the whole country on such a memorable event as the Olympic Games, which are held in Russia for the first time since 1980, when Moscow hosted the Summer Olympics.

"At the 2014 Olympics all is organized at the highest level. We know what such work is worth, and we can congratulate our Sochi colleagues on their achievements," said Ilsur Metshin.

Kazan Mayor noted that the Universiade legacy works for the benefit of all Kazan residents. This concerns not only the sports facilities, but also the transport interchanges, the restored historical center, the updated utilities and the public transportation, among other things.

"The most important legacy of the World Student Games is the improved conditions for children's sports," added the Mayor. Ilsur Metshin said that in recent years the capital of Tatarstan was able to triple the number of residents regularly engaged in sports. Today, every third inhabitant of Kazan regularly attends sporting facilities.

"We – Kazan residents – have changed since the Universiade. Today, it is a different city. We received high praise from the FISU management and are more self-confident. We have shown how we can play host to visitors from around the world. Today, we are ready to host the FINA World Aquatics Championship. I believe that after the Olympics, Sochi will also become a new growth point for Russia. I, as a citizen of the Russian Federation, in the days of the Olympics, am overwhelmed with pride for my country, " concluded Ilsur Metshin.