Vladimir Putin announced the 16th FINA World Championship open
24 July 2015, Friday
On July 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Interim President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, FINA President Julio Maglione, Russian Presidential Envoy in Volga Federal District Mikhail Babich, State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, President of the Association of National Olympic Committees Ahmad Al-Fahad Al Sabah, Aide to Russian President Igor Levitin, and Secretary General of the Russian Olympic Committee Anastasia Davydova attended the opening ceremony of the 16th FINA World Championship (Kazan, Tatneft Arena Sports Palace).
The Pilgrim show produced by Igor Krutoy and directed by Alexey Sechenov was followed by the parade of participating countries the representatives of which were carrying 191 flags.
Vladimir Putin delivered his welcoming speech at the ceremony.
“Dear friends! Russia welcomes participants and guests of the 16th FINA World Championship, and sports fans. Our country is hosting the aquatics championship for the first time and our goal is to hold it at the highest level. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone, who took part in the championship preparation in close cooperation with FINA experts. By joint efforts we did our best to hold the world championship successfully. I am sure that the sportsmen will demonstrate their best skills and it will be a big holiday for sports fans. We want everyone coming to Russia to feel the hospitality of our people, the diversity of different cultures and traditions, and find reliable friends here.
Today we see strong athletes, who know everything about sport and its high principles. Only the strongest sportsmen will win the medals, but the atmosphere and spirit of this championship will stay with us forever. I wish all athletesto set new records, and spectators to have unforgettable impressions. I wish all of you strong health and all the best,” he said.
FINA President Julio Maglione, who also delivered a speech at the ceremony, thanked Russian and Tatarstan leadership for excellent organization of the championship, and the organizing committee for their support, competence and creation of comfortable conditions for all participants of the event.
Later on, Vladimir Putin announced the 16th FINA World Championship open.
On 20 January in the evening Russian President Vladimir Putin called Tatarstan State Counselor Mintimer Shaimiev and congratulated him with his birthday. During the conversation Vladimir Putin stated that he is happy to hear bright voice of Mintimer (Sharipovich) and wished him good health and all the best.
On 20 January, congratulating Tatarstan State Counselor Mintimer Shaimiev with his birthday, the Chairman of the Russian Government Mikhail Mishustin wrote in his telegramme: “Being a famous and political leader, you have made a substantial contribution into modern development of Tatarstan and have earned the deep respect and gratitude of residents of the republic.
On 16 October in the Kazan Kremlin Tatarstan State Counselor Mintimer Shaymiev, who is also the Chairman of the Trustees Council of the regional Revival Fund, had a meeting with the Director General of the State Hermitage Mikhail Piotrovsky, who came to Kazan to take part in a ceremony of opening a new exposition “The Yusupovs. Luxury across the Centuries” at the Hermitage Kazan Exposition Center and which has been prepared especially for the 20th anniversary of the Hermitage’s first representational centre established in 2005 by celebrations of the Kazan Millennium.
On 28 August the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the State Counselor of the republic Mintimer Shaimiev took part in a plenary session of the National Assembly of the World Tatar Congress held with participation of about 1 thousand delegates from 68 regions of Russia and 27 foreign countries in the Tatar State Opera and Ballet Theatre in Kazan’