Russian round of Universiade Torch Relay started in Vladivostok

Russian round of Universiade Torch Relay has started Vladivostok from campus of Far Eastern Federal University on Russky Island. First Vice-premier of the Russian Government Igor Shuvalov, President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin and other officials participated in the event.

Universiade Torch was lit on July, 12, 2012 in Sorbonne. It has travelled around the world on a sailboat “Sedov” and covered 45 thousand nautical miles. Yesterday the torch was brought to Vladivostok.

Member of the crew Anatoly Vasiliev brought the torch to campus of Far Eastern Federal University. Head of Russian sport student union Oleg Matytsin lit the flame to the student anthem “Gaudeamus”. Honourable guests passed the flame to captain of the Kazan Ak Bars Aleksei Morozov.

Famous volleyball player of Dinamo-Kazan team Ekaterina Gamova, tennis player Dinara Safina, fencer Kamilla Gafurzyanova, volunteers, students of Far Eastern Federal University participated in relay.

First Vice-premier of the Russian Government Igor Shuvalov welcomed the audience. “I congratulate you on the start of Universiade Torch Relay in Vladivostok. In 161 days the torch will be brought to Kazan and we will be supporting our sportsmen. I hope it will be the best student games,” Igor Shuvalov said.

Governor of Primorski Krai Vladimir Miklushevsky wished successful holding of Universiade and new wins to participants.

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov thanked guests and organisers of the event.

Telebridge Kazan-Vladivostok was held during the ceremony. Chairman of the RT State Council Farid Mukhametshin and Olympic champion Ulia Zaripova welcomed Vladivostok citizens from the new stadium.

Within the next few days the torch will be kept at Far Eastern Federal University and then will be brought to Khabarovsk.