NEWS

The Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate delegation is currently at the Olympic Games in Sochi, taking part in the Tatarstan exhibition on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan. The Volga Federal District exhibition occupies 560 square metres of floor space and is part of the exposition of Russian regions arranged in order to provide visitors with a fun and festive atmosphere and to show the diversity of all countries and nations - all in one place, in the Olympic Park.

The grand Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics started at 20:14 Moscow Time, which symbolizes the year of the first Winter Games in Russia’s history, and in about three hours the world was told the history of a great country - Russia. More than 3,000 young talents from schools, as well as professional artistic groups, took part in many of the scenes, which include professional dance, ballet, acrobatic and circus performances. 2,000 Sochi 2014 volunteers helped in the organisation of the Ceremony both on stage, behind the scenes and within the grounds of the Olympic Park.

Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, who is currently on a working visit to Sochi as part of the Republic of Tatarstan delegation, met with residents of Kazan involved in the organisation and delivery of the 22nd Winter Olympics and wished them all success in their future endeavor. The meeting took place in the Olympic Park, where the exhibition of Russian regions is underway.

Residents and guests of Kazan will have today a unique opportunity to watch live the Opening Ceremony of the 22nd Sochi Winter Olympic Games on the media façade of the Kazan Arena Stadium. Sound will be played at the Nefis outdoor skating rink located near the stadium.

Eight Tatarstan athletes were chosen to represent the Republic of Tatarstan at the Olympic Games in Sochi. Among them are four hockey players of Ak Bars HC: Ilya Nikulin, Aleksey Tereschenko, Evgeny Medvedev and Aleksandr Svitov; skier Natalia Zhurova and Nordic Combined athlete Niyaz Nabeev of Kazan; Zelenodolsk skier Anastasia Dotsenko and Nordic Combined athlete Ivan Panin of Leninogorsk. This was announced today, February 4, by Tatarstan's Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism Rafis Burganov at the traditional briefing of the Cabinet.

The Republic of Tatarstan's contribution to the upcoming Olympic Games in Sochi was the main topic on the agenda of the Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, February 4. Present at the briefing were Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism Rafis Burganov, Director General of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Azat Kadyrov, and Head of the Kazan Executive Committee's Department of Healthcare Ramil Akhmetov.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev awarded Diplomas of the President of Russia to winners of the 27th Summer Universiade Kazan 2013. The ceremony took place in the Russian Government headquarters. "I extend my congratulations to you on receiving the national awards, which, I believe, are first for most of those present here. The Diploma of the President of Russia is a national award, not some departmental but a national one, and it is always mentioned in the biographies," said Dmitry Medvedev and wished the athletes further success both in sports and life.

Secretary of State and Deputy Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation, Natalia Parshikova, presented awards of the Russian Ministry of Sports to the managerial staff and non-executive employees of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate. The awards ceremony took place at the Main International Centre of the Universiade Village on Saturday, February 1.

An extended session of the collegium of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan took place in the Main International Centre on Saturday, February 1. Present at the session were Secretary of State, Deputy Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation Natalia Parshikova and President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.