The inauguration of the Sports Village took place on August 18. In a solemn atmosphere, guests of honor and Festival participants visited the amphitheater, where an artistic program was prepared. The ceremony was attended by the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Ural Federal District Vladimir Yakushev, the Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region Yevgeny Kuyvashev, the First Deputy Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Azat Kadyrov, the Head of the Directorate of the Alexander Chernov Festival and Mayor of the town, Russian runner Sergey Karyakin.
“I welcome all the participants and guests of the International Festival of University Sports in the Urals, in the city of Yekaterinburg, which is celebrating its 300th anniversary these days. We are present with you at the opening of the Festival Village. This is a multifunctional and modern facility. All the infrastructure has been created for the recovery and recreation of athletes. I want to wish all the participants: as many victories as possible and fewer injuries. And the audience – good emotions. The festival is a huge party where a large number of people from different countries and continents gather. I wish everyone good communication,” said Vladimir Yakushev, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Urals Federal District.
The Sports Village is a five-bedroom complex for athletes and delegations, a Public Center for the operational solution of the Festival’s organizational tasks, a Medical Center and a training field. Within walking distance – IEC “Ekaterinburg-Expo” and the Palace of Water Sports.
The town is the most important object of the Festival. Athletes will spend their free time in it. It will become a place for meeting, communication and dialogue among the participants. For this, sports and games areas, walks, green areas, places of recreation have been specially prepared.
“This is the first official event of the festival. In the next few days, the town will become the center of communication between young athletes, our guests. Together with the Government of the Russian Federation, our regional colleagues and the city authorities, we have long and persistently been preparing for the reception of guests in the Sports Village. We tried to do everything possible to make you feel comfortable and convenient here, to make this Village a truly modern platform for communication. And besides the sports results, I wish you good and warm communication”, said Evgeny Kuyvashev.
Azat Kadyrov, First Deputy Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation, noted that all the necessary conditions for the stay of the participants in the competitions have been created in the Sports Village.
“I am sure that these days you will feel at home. Friends! Compete and win, smile and make friends. Enjoy the hospitality of the Ural land. Good luck,” Azat Kadyrov added.
The head of the Festival Directorate, Alexander Chernov, greeted the guests of the ceremony in the languages of the participating countries and handed over the symbolic key to the Sports Village to its mayor, Sergey Karyakin.
“I welcome everyone to this amazing land of the Urals, which I am in love with! We are happy to see everyone in the heart of the Festival, in the Sports Village. I officially declare it open,” said Alexander Chernov.
Tomorrow, August 19, the first competition will begin. The opening ceremony of the International University Sports Festival will take place on August 20.
