27th World Summer Universiade finished in Kazan

On July 17 Chairman of Russian Government Dmitry Medvedev, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien, Russian Vice-Premier Arkady Dorkovich, and Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev took part in the official closing ceremony of 27th World Summer Student Games in Kazan.

Dmitry Medvedev welcomed Kazan citizens, Universiade participants and fans:

“We are now coming to a very dramatic and sad moment. We are saying goodbye to Universiade 2013. It was a great privilege for us to host World Student Games in Russia, in Kazan. Let me thank all people who presented this wonderful holiday of the student sport to the world. Thank you, coaches, sportsmen, and all fans. Without you we would not be able to hold these Games. All athletes who have been competing during 12 days, you made it! You presented your countries, demonstrated your sport spirit, the will to win and will power. Keep these qualities for all your lives!

I express special gratitude to those who made Kazan the real capital of the Universiade. I am sure that our guests loved this wonderful city. After Universiade you will have new roads, underground stations, sports venues. It is important that sports venues are friendly to handicapped people and accessible environment was provided there.

Thousands of volunteers have gathered here today. It was you who made lives of athletes and fans comfortable. Your hospitality and friendliness will stay in hearts of those who visited Kazan these days. When I watched competitions I was impressed by that passion of fans who supported sportsmen. It was you who helped them to win. Therefore, in many sports they demonstrated not student, but Olympic results.

We need honest competition, mutual assistance, trust and readiness to help each other not only in sport, but in relationships between people and countries. I hope some of you found your luck here, all of you found new friends, and maybe someone found true love. Be happy, I wish you new victories!”

Famous Russian artists Garik Sukachev, Dina Garipova, Alina Karimullina, Nyusha, Bi-2, Kasta, Mumiy Troll performed on the stage.

Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin addressed the audience with welcoming speech. FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien announced the Games closed.

The handover of the Universiade flag from Kazan to a Korean city Kwangju that will host World Summer Student Games in 2015 was held afterwards. Mayor of Kwangju welcomed participants of the ceremony and Korean artists showed a performance.

Finally, the Universiade Flame was put out.