We advise spectators to arrive early for competitions, the organisers say

A press conference took place today at the Tatar-inform Information Agency during which Director General of the Executive Directorate for Sports Projects, Azat Kadyrov, shed some light on the arrangements made to accommodate spectators’ needs during the 16 FINA World Championships in Kazan.

 With almost two days left before the kickoff of this summer’s much anticipated sporting event, the city prepares to immerse itself into a completely different, sporting rhythm.

Due to the Opening Ceremony’s dress rehearsal, changes to the city’s daily routine will be introduced as early as today, when such streets as S. Khakima Street (from Musina Street to Prospekt Amirkhana Street) and A. Bichurina Street (from S.Khakima Street to Chistopolskaya Street) will be blocked from 15:00 to 23:00. The road blocking on this streets will also be established on the opening day (July 24) and closing day (August 9) from 6:00 to 23:00. As for the metro’s working hours, they will be extended until 1 o’clock in the morning. Azat Kadyrov also noted that a free shuttle bus will run daily between the FINA Water World Park (Kazan Arena Stadium) and Kozya Sloboda metro station from 22:00 to 01:00.

The Director General of the Executive Directorate for Sports Projects also advised all spectators to take public transport to get to competition venues as tiсket holders will be entitled to free travel on public transport on the day of a sporting event. As for those who want to use their private vehicles, paid parking spaces will be allocated for them near the MEGA Shopping Mall, Tandem Shopping Mall, Maxidom Hypermarket and METRO Cash&Carry Supermarket.

“I encourage all fans and spectators to plan their trip ahead and arrive early at competition venues in order to avoid long queues in security gates. Police officers will work at all posts; there will also be metal detectors. In order to avoid emergency situations and to ensure security, such items as piercing or cutting objects, cigarettes, lighters and liquids will be prohibited at all competition venues. We strongly advise you to arrive at least 30 minutes earlier before the start of competitions.”

In addition to sporting events, all comers will be invited to attend the FINA Water World Park where a diverse cultural programme will be presented. Admission to the park will be free. Spectators will be able to enter the Park through the security station (with 15,000 through-flow rate) which comes out into Chistopolskaya Street. Another security station (20,000 through-flow rate) will be situated next to the Kazan Arena Stadium coming out into Yamasheva Prospekt Street. “Several types of national farmsteads will be presented at the Park; the aquatics museum will also open its doors to the public. The main stage of the FINA Water World Park will host a unique fashion show featuring the evolution of swimwear,” Azat Kadyrov said.

A Q&A session followed after the official part. Reporters asked questions concerning athletes’ insurance. “We have an agreement signed with FINA regarding our cooperation in terms of providing insurance coverage for athletes. Thereof, we make all arrangement via the international federation; we signed an official agreement with them,” Azat Kadyrov said.  

Like any other press conference, this one also couldn’t do without an intrigue. It was revealed that Kazan may become a host city for the FINA Swimming World Cup. “We always have an intention; it is reasonable and well-grounded. You know perfectly well that we have an enormous infrastructure – new and modern – and it was commended not only by national experts but also by the international sports community. Quite a lot of projects are at the stage of discussion, among them a leg of the FINA Swimming World Cup, a leg of the FINA Diving World Cup and, quite possibly, high diving,” said the Director General of the Executive Directorate for Sports Projects. 

As we reported earlier, tickets to the FINA World Championships can be purchased at the official ticketing website www.ticketkazan2015.com and official Kazan 2015 website www.kazan2015.com. There are also ticket offices at the Kazan Arena Stadium and Korston Hotel and Mall. All in all, over 450,000 tickets went on sale. As of today, more than 160,000 of them have already been sold.

If customers have any questions related to the ticketing programme, they can contact the ticketing programme call centre by dialing 8 800 775 07 70.