Address of Interim President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov on the occasion of opening of 16th FINA World Championship and 16th FINA World Masters Championship in Kazan

Dear citizens of Tatarstan!

The 16th FINA World Championship is opening on July 24 in Kazan. More than 5,400 sportsmen from 190 countries, including 1,161 sportsmen from Russia will be competing in six kinds of water sports in the main championship and five water sports in Masters Championship.

FINA World Championship is the second important event after FIFA World Cup. In Kazan, the competitions will gather the record number of sportsmen and participating countries. 4.5 billion people will be watching the competitions all over the world. The sportsmen will be competing for 75 sets of medals. We are expecting outstanding victories from our sportsmen and all participants of the championship, the highest sports achievements and excitement of the competitions.

The 16th FINA World Championship is one of the most important international sports events in 2015, and the biggest sports event in the history of modern Tatarstan and Russia. This prestigious event will be held thanks to the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian Government and FINA.

The long-awaited event is the result of common efforts of the citizens of the republic, who helped to prepare the sports venues for the championship and will be involved in the competitions.

It should be noted that due to 2013 World Student Games Kazan has a developed sports and transport infrastructure and internationally recognized venues. The Universiade heritage is serving the interests of all citizens of the republic, and helps involving them in mass sports. The sports infrastructure was created for training sports talents, and Kazan holds the status of the sports capital due to FINA World championship and other big international events.

I would like to say that the obtained experience and established contacts during Universiade will be used during FINA championship. Our republic and its capital Kazan have greatly changed over the last years.

Tatarstan economy is sustainably developing despite the crisis and Western sanctions.

Enterprises of the Kama industrial cluster, Alabuga Specialized Economic Zone, and Innopolis City have become our new growing points.

Preservation of inter-ethnic and inter-confessional concord and peace, the balanced social policy, priority development of education and science, and support of talented people are priority areas of social and economic development of the republic.

2015 was announced the Year of parks and squares in Tatarstan, which is supposed to make our cities and villages more beautiful, comfortable and attractive. Major work conducted in the republic in the sphere of preservation of cultural and historical monuments, development of the hospitality industry help the capital and other cities of Tatarstan to become attractive centers of Russian and international tourism and pilgrimage.

We have prepared a very interesting programme for the championship. The main entertainment programme will take place in FINA Park, museums and theatres. On August 1, the Tatar national holiday Sabantui will be held in Kazan. I am sure that our artists will demonstrate the sports spirit of the Tatar people, their rich and unique culture and hospitality that will impress our guests.

I would like to congratulate the guests and participants of the 16th FINA World Championship and FINA World Masters Championship and citizens of the republic on the opening of the championship. I invite you to attend unforgettable sports and entertainment event! Let the moments of this holiday of sport, youth and the joy of victories stay in our hearts!

Interim President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov.