World championship in water sports in Kazan should attract Tatarstan citizens for training in swimming-pools

Holding World championship in aquatics - 2015 in Kazan will favor attracting Tatarstan citizens for training in swimming-pools. Such opinion has been expressed by RT Minister for youth affairs, sport and tourism Rafis Burganov at a briefing in RT Cabinet. Head of Ministry for sport and CEO of bidding committee “Kazan 2015/2017” Vladimir Leonov told about prospects in connection with winning of the right to host World championship in aquatics 2015. The decision about holding World championship in aquatics - 2015 in Kazan was made at congress of International swimming federation FINA on July 15.

“3-4 months ago it seemed to be something fantastic, but a big realized work enabled Kazan to get all 20 voices of FINA Executive committee while selecting the capital for World championship in aquatics – 2015”, - CEO of bidding committee “Kazan 2015/2017” Vladimir Leonov said.

By words of Vladimir Leonov, the personal support of RF Premier Vladimir Putin, RF Ministry of sport, tourism and youth policy played a major role in Kazan’s winning. Members of FINA committee were influenced by the fact that Universiade 2013 will be held in Kazan.

Vladimir Leonov thanked famous sportsmen – Olympic Champions Aleksandr Popov, Vladimir Salnikov and Maria Kiseleva for supporting Kazan bid.

RT Minister for youth affairs, sport and tourism Rafis Burganov expressed hope that holding World championship in aquatics - 2015 in Kazan will make swimming more popular in Tatarstan. Currently, 24 outside and 118 inside swimming-pools are functioning in republic. About 22 000 people train there. R.Burganov noted that the Ministry was not satisfied with the quantity and as far as the event approaches, number of enthusiastic people would increase.

Vladimir Leonov emphasized that holding World championship is an important event in terms of increasing Kazan recognition in the world.

According to Vladimir Leonov the infrastructure for holding World championship in aquatics will be ready by Universiade-2013. Traditionally World championship in aquatics is held in summer for 16 days. Exact dates will be defined in two years at the FINA congress at the next World championship in Barcelona.