Rustam Minnikhanov says that Kazan is prepared to host the Olympic Games

On February 1, speaking at an extended session of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport of the republic at the Volga Region State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that Kazan is prepared to host the most significant sporting events, including the Olympic Games.

Russian Minister of Sport Pavel Kolobkov, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport of the republic Vladimir Leonov, President of the Cross-Country Ski Federation of Russia Elena Vyalbe, representatives of ministries and departments of the republic took part in the meeting.

Making a summary report, Leonov said that in 2016 Tatarstan was once again recognized as the country's leader in public involvement in physical education and sport. The number of Tatarstan citizens, who go in for sports regularly, exceeded 1.5 million people (41.5 per cent).

More than 800 sporting events, including 27 major national and international ones, were held in the republic last year.

In 2017, for the purpose of sports infrastructure development 150 new sports facilities will be open in the republic. In particular, it is planned to build 100 versatile sports grounds, 29 ice rinks hockey with two dressing rooms and stands for 100 seats, and 21 block-modular skiing centres.

"In general, I can say that today we have a great team in the republic that is able to solve the most challenging tasks and hold any event. There is much talk about whether Kazan will be able to host the Olympic Games. It is easy! The main thing is to receive support from federal leaders, with whom we always find common ground," Minnikhanov said.

In his turn Kolobkov noted that today Tatarstan sets the highest standards, not only in Russia but around the world, in the sphere of the development of sports.