The best Russian student-athletes and universities were honoured at the annual all-Russian University Sport Stars Gala that took place in Moscow. Over 500 guests from all over the Russian Federation attended the event that also acknowledged the national sports federations, as well as state, public and commercial organisations that made a great contribution to the development and popularisation of university sport in 2019.
Aid to the President of the Russian Federation, Igor Levitin, opened the Gala and read out a message of greeting from the President Vladimir Putin. The guests were also welcomed by FISU President Oleg Matytsin, the Deputy Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation Igor Sidorkevich, President of the Russian Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov and President of the Russian Students Sport Union (RSSU) Sergey Seyranov.
“I would like to recognise all those who work in the field of university sport,” Sergey Seyranov said to the gathering. “Your contribution to the development of physical culture and sport, to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle among young people is invaluable. You give students the opportunity to develop their abilities in different sports. I also want to thank the athletes for their efforts and determination, for their high results and achievements.”
The Gala proceeded with the awarding ceremony to honour the athletes for outstanding achievements in international student competitions, including the 29th Winter Universiade held in Krasnoyarsk, as well as the 30th Summer Universiade held in Naples, Italy.
The ceremony also featured the awarding of the Winter Universiade 2019 Organising Committee for winning the ‘Project of the Year’ nomination and also the handover of the flag from Krasnoyarsk, the host city of the Winter Universiade 2019, to Ekaterinburg that will host the 32nd Summer Universiade in 2023.
After handing over the flag to Alexander Chernov, the Director General of the Summer Universiade 2023 Directorate, Krasnoyarsk Director General Maxim Urazov expressed his confidence that the forthcoming World University Games in Ekaterinburg will be delivered at the same high level as the Winter Universiade 2019.
“The Games in Krasnoyarsk set a record for the number of participating countries: athletes from 58 countries came to Siberia to compete for medals in 11 sports. During the competitions, several sports records were set. Our work was highly recognised by representatives of the International University Sports Federation, participants and spectators. I am sure that the Summer Universiade in Ekaterinburg will become an equally bright page in our history of university sport.”
The Gala culminated with the presentation of awards to the winners in the following categories: “Education and Sport”, “For the Development and Popularization of University Sport”, “All-Russian Projects” and “RSSU Partner”.