11th object – sport complex "Olympiets" opens in Kazan
The 11th object of the World Summer Universiade-2013 has been opened in Kazan’s Kirovsky District on March 1. The Universal sport complex “Olympiets” will host volleyball competitions of the Games-2013.
The following officials took part in the opening ceremony: Tatarstan Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, Tatarstan Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism Marat Bariev, head of the Universiade-2013 Directorate Vladimir Leonov, Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee for Physical Culture and Sports Ildar Gilmutdinov, HC Ak Bars Vice-President Ravil Shavaleyev and others.
The distinguished guests of the ceremony were famous republican sportsmen: Svetlana Demina (trap-shooting), Paralympics participant Ayrat Zakiev (power-lifting), Anastasia Kolesnikova (artistic gymnastics), Nailya Gilyazova (fencing) and others.
In his greeting speech, Ilsur Metshin said “Olympiets” had become the 11th sport infrastructure facility, which opened as part of preparation for the Universiade-2013. Mayor of Kazan expressed confidence that the city will have all necessary conditions for preparation and performance at the Games-2013 at high level.
“Today’s event is heartwarming – sport complex “Olympiets” is being put into operation,” Rustam Minnikhanov said. “After our national team’s performance at Vancouver Olympics, we feel how much we need victories. I see a wonderful building, well-designed and constructed. But the main thing I’ve seen is sportsmen who are able to achieve high results.”
Rustam Minnikhanov expressed words of gratitude to constructors, designers and the federal Government which finances construction works of “Olympiets”.
Head of the Universiade-2013 Directorate Vladimir Leonov told journalists that “Olympiets” would become a training centre for Tatarstan’s promising athletes, potential participants of the Olympics.