Russian Federation President weightlifting Cup kick off in Kazan
The opening ceremony for the Russian Federation President Weightlifting Cup started with the moment of silence in memory of the victims of the plane crash in Rostov-on-Don. Present at the event were President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov; Aide to the President of the Russian Federation, Igor Levitin; Deputy Minister of Sport of Russia, Yury Nagornykh; Mayor of Kazan, Ilsur Metshin; Vice President of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), Alexander Gerasimenko; IWF Director General Attila Adamfi; President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation (RWF), Sergey Syrtsov; and Tatarstan’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport, Vladimir Leonov.
Igor Levitin was first to take the floor. He read a welcome letter by President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. “Today Kazan gives a warm welcome to athletes from different countries and becomes a weightlifting capital for several upcoming days,” the welcome letter said. “I’m confident that all competitors will demonstrate perfect physical form, stamina and mastership, and the tournament itself will become a great test for athletes before the Olympic Games. I wish you good luck and every success in your endeavours.” On his own behalf, Igor Levitin thanked Rustam Minnikhanov and Tatarstan’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport for an amazing organisation of the tournament.
For his part, the Tatarstan President expressed hope that athletes will show great performance at the tournament and wished them good luck. “It’s a great honour for us to host the Russian President Cup in Kazan,” said Rustam Minnikhanov. “We sincerely hope that the competition will be staged to the highest standard and everybody will enjoy it. Good luck to you all!”
In his welcome speech, Alexander Gerasimenko mentioned that the Cup was established by the Presidential Executive Order in 2011 and in 2012 the tournament was granted the Grand Prix status. “Presently, the Russian President Weightlifting Cup is a brand that is known throughout the world,” the RWF Vice President said. “Over the past five years the competition brought together the strongest weightlifting nations, the best lifters competed on the weightlifting platform; six world records were set. I wish competitors to break more records and to fight until the end.”
The important thing about the Russian Federation President Weightlifting Cup is that it will serve as a qualifying event ahead of the Rio Olympic Games, Attila Adamfi said. “It’s a great honour for us to be part of the 6th Russian Federation President Weightlifting Cup,” he said. “We are confident that the event will be organised to the highest standard and athletes will be provided with the best conditions. And for that we would like to thank Tatarstan’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport and the city of Kazan. We are always happy to return to Kazan, the sports capital of Russia, and we feel at home here. And we wouldn’t have felt like this if it were not for your help and support.”
The Russian Federation President Weightlifting Cup will take place in Kazan on March 19-20. The competition will feature 40 athletes and 27 team officials from 11 countries.