Medvedev commends impeccable work of volunteers at Universiade

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev commended the impeccable work of volunteers at the 27th Summer Universiade in Kazan, adding that it set a good example for the Sochi Olympics.

Working at the Summer Universiade in Kazan are around 20,000 volunteers, operating in more than 40 different functional areas.

“Thank you so much, you have worked very hard. This sets a good example for the Sochi Olympics. I hope to see you again there, because we really need your help. And of course here your work has been impeccable, thank you very much,” said Medvedev to volunteers during his visit to the Universiade Village.

The Prime Minister also noted that everyone was convinced this was the best Universiade. Volunteers led the Head of Government to a cube where during the Universiade anyone can leave their wishes on a piece of paper in the form of a hand. “Good luck to everyone. 2013,” wrote Medvedev before signing his name.

The volunteers also gave Medvedev one of their pins, saying that it was a tradition. The Prime Minister also looked at a model of Universiade Village. He was told how the territory totals more than 53 hectares, and comprises 28 residential buildings capable of holding 14,000 people, as well as two sports complexes (pool and tennis academy), a mall, a hospital, a multi-functional stadium, Main International Center and other facilities.

Medvedev noted that the Universiade Village is like its own small town. After this, he visited the Universiade Museum, where awards, uniforms and symbols were on display from different Universiades over the years. Around the walls with information on how Kazan was selected for the Universiade, Minister of Sport Vitaly Mutko, who was escorting the Prime Minister, asked if there was a photo from 2006 when Russia lost its bid to host the Universiade. On learning that there was no such photo or information, Mutko asked that it be included. “History is not only made up of victories,” said Medvedev in support of the idea. The Prime Minister also paid special attention to the symbols and merchandise of the 1973 Summer Universiade held in Moscow, and watched video clips of the event.

15 members from the team of Kazan 2013 volunteers welcomed Dmitry Medvedev: they told how they worked at the Games and how they believed in the victory of the Russian national teams.

During the Games, Kazan residents and guests left wishes and kind words for Russian athletes at city volunteer information booths; during 12 days, several hundred thousand wishes were collected. As a tradition of major sporting events, the volunteers presented the Prime Minister with a pin in the form of a volunteer hand, and he, for his part, wished success to all participants in the Games, leaving his signature on a paper hand. Prime Minister Medvedev thanked everyone for their hard work and noted that the experience of the volunteers at the Summer Universiade in Kazan will be unique and soon needed at the Olympic Games in Sochi.