Mintimer Shaimiev: “Fencing traditions are coming back to Kazan”

On July 18, at a press conference dedicated to World Fencing Championship that opened in Kazan, Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev said that holding of this event in Kazan would favour development of fencing sport in Tatarstan.

President of International Fencing Federation Alisher Usmanov, and Head of Russian Olympic Committee Aleksandr Zhukov took part in the conference.

Aleksandr Zhukov noted that it is no coincidence that the International Congress FairPlay and World Fencing Championship are held in Kazan. “Much attention is paid to development of sports in Tatarstan, lots of sports events are held here, and the city has become one of world’s sports capitals,” he said. He continued that teams from 101 countries were taking part in the championship in Kazan.

Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, in his turn, told about rich fencing traditions of Tatarstan noting that three Tatarstan sportswomen Nailya Gilyazova, Valentina Nikonova, and Olga Knyazeva became Olympic champions. He thanked all guest and participants of the event and wished good impressions from staying in Kazan.

President of International Fencing Federation Alisher Usmanov noted that initially the capital of Bulgaria Sofia won the right to host the championship, but because of financial problems they refused from holding the competitions. “I asked Mintimer Shaimiev then and he agreed to hold the event in Kazan,” Usmanov said.According to him, leadership of the federation is trying to solve problems faced by fencing sport.

To the point, 800 sportsmen from 101 countries will compete for 12 sets of medals, and prize fund of 1 million dollars. Finals in personal and team disciplines will be held at Tennis Academy within the next six days. The closing ceremony is planned for July 23.