Marat Bariev: The Universiade in Kazan is the best birthday gift!
Today Marat Bariev - General Secretary of the Russian Olympic Committee, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation for Physical Culture, Sport and Youth Affairs, turns 52. He was behind the idea of holding the World University Games in Kazan. Marat Bariev told us about the origin and development of this idea, as well as his impressions of the days of the 2013 Summer Universiade in an interview.
- How did the idea of the World Student Games in Kazan come?
- The idea of the Universiade in Kazan was born in 2004 during the preparation of the 1,000th anniversary of Kazan. At that time the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev set a task of decent organisation of celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of Kazan before each ministries and departments. But after the festivities dedicated to the 1,000th anniversary of Kazan, the city had to continue to develop and integrate into the domestic and international space. Therefore, it was necessary to consider issues of future prospects. Sport could give such a prospect. In 2005, at the time of the 1,000th anniversary of Kazan, we carried out the 25th World Hockey Championship. Larger events in Kazan have not been carried out yet. Kazan was largely unknown in the world of sport. We did not even hold the Russian championship. But still, it was a great desire to organise a major sporting event in Kazan.
We have decided to consider the possibility of holding the World University Games. On the one hand, it is less expensive and easier than the Olympic Games, on the other hand, it is a very important international sporting event, with more representation and complex sport. In addition, Kazan could qualify for the event in many ways. Kazan is one of the largest student centres in Russia. The Universiade in Kazan would allow obtaining international recognition and developing sports infrastructure. This proposal was submitted by Rustam Minnikhanov, who was Prime Minister of the Republic. He became interested in the idea and we have prepared a proposal for the report to Mintimer Shaimiev. Evaluating the capacity of the city, we realised that such a sporting event in Kazan is possible.
- What was Mintimer Shaimiev’s attitude towards the idea of the Summer Universiade in Kazan?
- The idea was unusual. He was interested to know what was necessary for the right to hold the Universiade in Kazan. To have a right to hold such a large-scale youth sports event as the Universiade, it is necessary first of all for Kazan to be known abroad. To do this, we need to conduct major sporting events. Second, we must have a well-developed sports infrastructure and highly qualified specialists.
In 2004, Kazan sports infrastructure was still poorly developed to hold international sporting events. Among the major sports facilities in Kazan were the following: Basket-Hall, Ice Palace, the Central Stadium, Swimming Pool Orgsyntez, UNICS Sports Complex. The President gave me the mandate to work out the idea.
- How did you start to develop the idea of the Universiade in Kazan?
- We have to learn all the nuances of the preparation of the bidding campaign, conditions of the organisation and conducting of the Summer Universiade.
The original idea of the Universiade in Kazan was taken skeptically so we had to declare this idea also in Moscow.
We’ve begun to conduct Russian competitions and then international ones in Kazan since 2005. We began to become recognisable in the world of sport.
Then we have drafted and began to build sports facilities in Kazan, Tatarstan. We began to invite sports officials, famous athletes, coaches to Kazan, so they can see our new projects.
Chairman of the Russian State Sport Committee Vyacheslav Fetisov, Russian State Duma deputy Valery Kuzin and many others began to support us on the federal level.
Taking into account the political and social importance of the youth policy, the tradition of domestic university sports movement, the idea of organisng the Summer Universiade in Russia has been recognised by the country's President, Vladimir Putin, from the beginning of the bidding company.
So, the idea of the Summer Universiade in Kazan developed at the very active support of Mintimer Shaimiev, Rustam Minnikhanov.
- What are your impressions of the Opening Ceremony of the 27th World University Games and the Games tournaments?
- Kazan highly prepared for the Opening Ceremony and the Games. Now we can talk about the possibility to take part in the competition for the right to hold the Olympic Games. I believe that the time has come for this, and in 2024 Kazan may submit an bid with a high chance of success.
- Tomorrow's your birthday, where will you celebrate it?
- Of course at the Universiade! At 10:00 I have a meeting with reporters, and then I will attend the Games. It is best of all when dreams and ideas come true. So, I'm happy, and the Universiade in Kazan is the best birthday gift for me!