Mintimer Shaimiev takes part in a solemn ceremony of opening the BRICS Sports Games
On 12 June, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, the State Counselor of the republic Mintimer Shaimiev, the Aid to the Russian President Aleksey Dyumin, the Counselor of the Russian President Igor Levitin and the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin took part in a solemn ceremony of opening the BRICS Sports Games which for the first time in the history are held in Russia.
About 4 000 athletes from more than 90 countries will fight for awards in 27 kinds of sports at 17 sports facilities in Kazan and Moscow and, welcoming participants of the Games via videoconference, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “The BRICS Games are hosted by hospitable and quaint Kazan and Moscow - the cities rich in their history, multi- ethnic culture, traditions and at the same time modern and looking into the future. All this completely reflects the spirit and character of BRICS itself – amalgamation of sovereign states which develop dynamically preserving their authenticity, jointly solve large scale tasks and demonstrate an example of really partnership and equal relations based on trust, strong friendship and respect of interests of each other.”
After Vladimir Putin announced the Games open, Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated participants of the ceremony with the main state holiday of our country – the Day of Russia.
He thanked President Vladimir Putin for vesting confidence on Tatarstan to host this large scale sports competition. “Participation of the large number of athletes from all parts of the world is a bright and convincing evidence of the fact that sports does not have borders and is beyond politics,” he said and stated that the BRICS Games will facilitate cooperation between countries and people.
Russian Minister of Sports Mikhail Degtyarev emphasized that Russia has gained huge experience in holding large scale sports events. “On an errand of the President of our country we develop sports in every corner of Russia. I am sure that Kazan will hold the BRICS Games at the highest level,” he added.