27th Summer Universiade - Kazan, Russia - July 6th to 17th, 2013

27th Summer Universiade - Kazan, Russia - July 6th to 17th, 2013

Kazan, sport capital of Russia,

Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. It is one of the largest economic, scientific and cultural centres in the Russian Federation. Kazan has acquired the right to be officially called the "Third Capital" and "Sports Capital" of Russia. Kazan is also known as the city of students. More than 150,000 students are educated in Kazan's higher education establishments. Moreover, the main federal university of the Volga region and several national research universities of the Russian Federation are also based in Kazan.

Its experience in the high-level organisation of many large-scale international sports competitions as well as its high-tech sports facilities and venues allowed Kazan to bid for the hosting of a prestigious multi-sport event -- the Summer Universiade. Fourty years ago Russia had already hosted a Summer Universiade in the summer of 1973 in Moscow, and those University Games were considered one of the best in terms of organisation and success. During the bidding campaign Kazan showed its enormous potential as well as an active support from all the citizens. As a result, on May 31st, 2008, Kazan won the right to host the XXVII World University Summer Games in 2013.

From July 6th to July 17th, 2013, more than 13,500 athletes and members of delegations from 170 countries as well as more than 1,500 media representatives are expected in Kazan. About 100,000 tourists and fans from Russia and abroad will visit Kazan both to support their countries and discover the millennial historical heritage of the city, its rich culture and modern infrastructure. During the Universiade the FISU Conference on "University and Olympic Sports: two medals -- one goal" will be held in Kazan from July 6th to 10th, 2013.

Out of the 50 sports venues that will be used during the Universiade, 30 will be newly built. Twenty-seven venues are already operational and at the moment they are used by pupils of sports schools, of secondary school as well as by students of the higher education establishments of the city. It is notable that about 20 venues will be used by educational institutions after the Universiade.

The XXVII Summer Universiade is a great volunteer movement as well. About 20,000 volunteers from all over the world will take part in the 2013 Universiade in Kazan. The volunteer selection programme 'Make U Real' was launched in September 2011. The 'Kazan 2013' volunteers will undergo a competitive selection process and attend a distance-learning programme. During the Games they will be provided with uniforms and food, and they will also have the opportunity to see the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Over 2,000 volunteers are already taking part in the organisation of international and national competitions and in the realisation of projects. The best volunteers are provided with the opportunity to participate in a traineeship programme designed for volunteers abroad.

The enormous volume of work carried out for the preparation and holding of the 2013 Universiade allowed Kazan to bid for the hosting of other important world sporting events. As a result, Kazan will hold the FINA World Water Sports Championships in 2015 and the FIFA World Cup in 2018. The preparation and holding of those three large international sporting events will provide Kazan with a great opportunity to cement the role of the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan in the international sports arena.

http://www.Kazan2013.ru/en

http://www.fisu.net/en/Summer-Univers...