Russia to send its full-strength team to Kazan 2013

Russia’s extended national team which will take part in the 27th Summer Universiade includes over 600 athletes, as was reported at the meeting of the Supervisory Board of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate that was held via video conferencing between Moscow and Kazan on December 5.

It was also reported at the Supervisory Board meeting that 132 national athletes that competed at London 2012 seek to qualify for the Games in Kazan. It is notable that Russia’s extended team includes 17 Olympic champions, 17 silver and 11 bronze medallists. In total, Russia’s sports delegation will comprise 950-1000 people. 

According to Oleg Matytsin, President of the Russian Student Sports Union, Russia’s national team members will go through medical and anti-doping tests, and those Russian athletes who are potential Games participants will take part in all the test events scheduled to be held in Kazan in 2013. Oleg Matytsin suggested that as many Russian athletes as possible be accredited to give the students a chance to experience the Universiade’s unique atmosphere.  

Russia’s national team is gearing up according to a pre-set schedule. To this end, most of the federations have already selected head coaches for the national team for each sport. Medal predictions and hopes were voiced during the meeting as well; Team Russia is set to win 212 medals, including 79 golds. The main opponent for Russian athletes are as always China, the USA, Korea, Japan, Ukraine. 

Vitaly Mutko, Russia’s Sports Minister and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate urged the federations’ leaders to put forth the best athletes that meet the age eligibility requirements to take part in the Summer Universiade. “We are investing serious resources in hosting the Universiade. For us, this is the country’s prestige, including its sports prestige. Therefore, we must make sure that we get our best team to perform at the Games on home soil,” said Vitaly Mutko.