Yulia Zaripova donates her cleats to Universiade Museum. Part 4
The Universiade Museum has gained yet another exhibit. The renowned athlete Yulia Zaripova donated the pair of spikes she wore in winning the women's 3,000m steeplechase to the museum. It's Yulia's personal item and it's very dear to her, however, when deciding what exactly she will donate to the museum, the athlete chose her winning athletic shoes.
"I immediately decided that it will be the pair of spikes which I got as a world champion. I wore them when I had my main training and performed at most competitions. I cherish them, but I try not to cling to stuff, because if you want new things to come to you, you must get rid of old things. And, of course, I want them to be preserved. It's of great importance to me," said the athlete.
The solemn handover of the cleats to the museum was held during the plenary session of the research-to-practice conference, called 'Prospects of Development of Modern University Sports: Performances of Russian Athletes at the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan', which was held the day before in the Volga Region Academy of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism. As a master's degree student of this educational institution, it is very prestigious to attend such events and to share experiences with the audience, admitted Yulia Zaripova. The feeling of nostalgia hits her every time she remembers the 2013 Summer Universiade, Yulia said.
"I can't believe that several months have already passed since the Universiade ended. I have so many memories! One of the most striking ones is a man with the flag who ran out and shouted: 'Yulia, take the flag!"
When I was running the final 150 metres, he jumped over the fence and ran 50 metres with me. When he approached me, I took the flag," said Yulia. She admitted that it was truly a 'golden Universiade'.
Yulia also added that she will keep donating new items to the collection of the Universiade Museum. After all, she does not want the things she cherishes to lose their value.
Athletes' personal belongings are one of the most interesting parts of the museum. Most recently, on November 5, there was a solemn handover of things owned by the Tatarstan team of synchro figure skating sports masters. Here you can also find the equipment used by the Russian national team at the Winter Universiade in Erzurum, as well as belongings of many outstanding athletes - Universiade winners, world champions and Olympic athletes.