The Ekaterinburg 2023 FISU Games at ‘Russia – Country of Sports forum’

The Organisers of the Ekaterinburg 2023 FISU World University Games were present at the ‘Russia – Country of Sports’ forum last week and took the opportunity to present the preliminary designs of the medals.

Overall, three design projects for the medals were presented. In the future, only one of them will be officially approved. For the representatives of the Games, the presentation of the awards became the main event of their work at the forum.

The Head of the Games Directorate Alexander Chernov presented the projects to the Minister of Sport of Russia Oleg Matytsin, President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, and other guests of the forum’s exhibit. He noted that all three preliminary designs are aimed at capturing the spirit of the city hosting the Games.

Ceremony to unite the symbolic legacy of the FISU World University Games

Medals, as well as the torches of the Kazan 2013 Universiade and the Krasnoyarsk 2019 Universiade, were handed over to the Head of the 2023 FISU World University Games Directorate, Alexander Chernov.

These artifacts symbolise the experience of holding the largest sporting events that Russia has accumulated over the past years. Torches and medals of the Universiades were placed at the organisers’ booth for visitors to see.

Member of the Committee on Physical Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth Marat Bariev and the Director of the Department of the Development of Physical Culture and Mass Sports of the Ministry of Sports of Russia Maxim Urazov took part in the ceremony.

Alexander Chernov noted the importance of succeeding this experience: “Today we pass on to our beloved Ekaterinburg not only the torches and medals of the incredibly successful capitals of the past FISU Games but their experience as well. Those people who took part in preparing Kazan and Krasnoyarsk are now with us in Ekaterinburg. This is the most important legacy and a sign of the progressive development of sports that is being cultivated in our country.

Marat Bariev pointed out how the FISU World University Games changed the face of the hosting cities: “The history of the Kazan Universiade is already history, but you can see for yourself how preparing for and holding the Universiade have changed the face of the city, the face of student sports, and, perhaps, the face of sports in our country in general. It makes me very happy that FISU trusts Russia with such international events and, on our side, we will make sure to deliver, which Kazan and Krasnoyarsk already proved.”

Maxim Urazov indicated the readiness to further exchange experience: “It is very exciting to be at this event. We are grateful to Tatarstan and Kazan for the experience that was passed on to Krasnoyarsk. Ekaterinburg has a most important period ahead. On our side, we are ready to tell you about the most difficult moments that need to be taken into account during the preparations. We will share knowledge, artifacts and have already planned a visit to Ekaterinburg in 2023!”

The 2022 ASB Superfinal will be held in Ekaterinburg

During the forum, the Association of Student Basketball and the Games Directorate signed an agreement to hold the tournament. The 2022 ASB Superfinal will be one of the most important in the block of test events that traditionally precedes the FISU World University Games. It will be played in the form of the Final Four and will come to the capital of the Middle Urals for the first time.

The competitions include games with the top student basketball players participating and the most intense of show programs. The Superfinal is planned to be played at the cultural and entertainment complex Uralets.

The signing ceremony was held with the Minister of Physical Culture and Sports of the Sverdlovsk Region Leonid Rapoport who stated: “Signing the agreement to hold the ASB Superfinal will, first and foremost, allow us to unite our efforts and prepare athletes who will be defending our country’s honor at the 2023 FISU World University Games.”

Executive Director of the Association of Student Basketball Sergey Kryukov noted the significance of the planned event: “Dear friends, this is a truly joyous occasion! I believe that together with the Ministry of Sport and the Games Directorate, we will be able to hold a really cool event. It is important to mention our long-term mutual partner – Ural Federal University, with which we have implemented many a large project. I think that the 2022 ASB Superfinal will become a significant event for both the Sverdlovsk Region and as a part of the line of events preceding the 2023 FISU World University Games.”

Original article and photo courtesy of Ekat2023