Mintimer Shaimiev about Universiade: "Our work bounds us to succeed"

According to Mintimer Shaimiev, the first President of the Republic of Tatarstan, receiving the right to host a sporting event like Universiade is a huge achievement.

"I am overjoyed and very proud of the grand special event that is going on in our republic," - said Shaimiev.

According to him, Universiade is a considerable step to promoting Kazan in different parts of the world, similar to what "Rubin" football club has done previously.

"Nowadays, image and awareness are crucial. Our current work bounds us to succeed," - pointed out Mintimer Shaimiev.

Also, the ex-President answered the journalists' question regarding a large number of Olympic champions in Russian team at Universiade: "If the sportsmen and young people are happy, I cannot be disappointed by it. And they are all students, so no rules are broken".

"For the first time a Universiade has so many participating countries and sportsmen, and it was not me who said that first. We are growing, maybe not even realizing it ourselves," - concluded Mintimer Shaimiev.