Universiade Torch Relay will become a tradition, Oleg Matytsin says

On March 28, exactly 100 days before the start of the 27th Summer Universiade, a press conference was held in Yakutsk to mark the launch of the third stage of the Universiade Torch Relay on Russian soil. The organisers spoke of the work done, Universiade Torch Relay route and events and activities that await watching crowds during the Flame's journey across the country.

Attending the press conference were Oleg Matytsin, FISU 1st Vice-President and President of the Russian Student Sports Union (RSSU); Mikhail Gulyaev, Minister of Sports of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia); Arkady Karbaev, Director of the Cultural and Social Programmes Department of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate; and Yakutsk's Torchbearer Kunduyana Gerasimova. 

Oleg Matytsin opened the speech with gratitude to the organisers of the 27th Summer Universiade: "On behalf of FISU, I would like to thank the Kazan 2013 Organising Committee for the initiatives taken in the build-up to the Games, one of which is the idea of holding the Torch Relay. I'm positive that this initiative will become a tradition and next cities that will be hosting the World University Games will welcome the Universiade Torch in the same big way. Thanks to the Relay, people on all continents found out what the 2013 Summer Universiade is and now the Flame is travelling through Russia." The FISU 1st Vice-President also praised Yakutsk's contribution to the staging of the event: "I express my gratitude to you and I hope that we will see a great celebration. It's quite symbolic that Yakutsk will hand the Flame over to Krasnoyarsk, the candidate city to host the 2019 Winter Universiade,"

For his part, Mikhail Gulyaev said: "Inclusion of Yakutsk in the Torch Relay route is a great honour for us. The Relay will trigger off sports development and allow to promote not only sports but also this summer's World Universiade Games in Kazan." Sakha's Minister of Sports also told reporters that the Torch will pass through central Yakutsk and be carried by the city's famous athletes and public figures, with the City Cauldron kindling ceremony being highlighted with local colour and a variety of entertainment for audiences. 

The significance of the date of the Torch Relay in Yakutsk was also mentioned: "I congratulate you all on 100 days to go until the start of our common Universiade. I'm glad that here, in Yakutsk, we are first in Russia to celebrate this festive occasion. I thank all citizens of this beautiful city for being part of this large-scale event," Arkady Karbaev said. 

Kunduyana Gerasimova was also very emotional: "It's a great honour for me, like for any other student, to carry the Universiade Torch. I'm extremely excited and happy to be involved in this global mega event."

While talking to reporters, spokeperson for the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Arkady Karbaev confirmed that the Torch Relay strictly follows the earlier planned schedule. He also mentioned that in many respects this is achieved thanks to the support and cooperation of the cities that host the Universiade Torch Relay events: "We are pleased that all selected cities assist us and are eager to embrace the Universiade project."

As we reported earlier, the Universiade Torch Relay kicked off on 12 July 2012 at Paris-Sorbonne University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe, where the first ‘World Student Games’  were held in 1923. Upon the initiative of the Kazan 2013 SU organisers, the Universiade Torch Relay was taken to international scale. Placed on board the bark Sedov, the Flame travelled 45,000 nautical miles and crossed five continents, bringing the major symbol of the upcoming Summer Universiade to Russia. Vladivostok became the first Russian city to welcome the Universiade Torch Relay. The Flame visited the Far Eastern city on January 25, Students' Day in Russia. 

Universiade Torch Relay partners:

Hyundai Motor CIS is the General Partner and Official Transport Provider of the Kazan 2013 Summer Universiade. Hyundai Motor CIS is an exclusive distributor of Hyundai cars in the Russian Federation. Currently the company owns one of the largest dealer networks in the Russian automotive industry and comprises over 140 automobile showrooms.

Coca-Cola HBC Eurasia LLC is an Official Partner of the 27th Summer Universiade Kazan 2013. The Coca-Cola system is a long-standing partner of some of the world’s most important sporting events and places great emphasis on promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyle around the world. Coca-Cola HBC Eurasia will give a warm welcome to the Universiade Flame in Russia and act as the partner of the 2013 Summer Universiade Torch Relay.

SOGAZ Insurance Group is the Official Partner and Insurance Provider of the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan. SOGAZ Insurance Group: be nervous only about victories at the games, all other things at the Universiade are insured!

ОАО Aeroflot Russian Airlines is the Official Partner and Official Airline of the 27th Summer Universiade Kazan 2013. Apart from that, Aeroflot is the partner of the 2013 Summer Universiade Torch Relay.