The XXIX Winter Universiade will be held on March 2–12. For the first time in history, the games will be held in Russia. Overall, 76 medal sets in 11 sports will be awarded. The preliminary competitions started on Friday with the first medals to be awarded on March 3.
Ski orienteering and bandy will be presented at the Universiade for the first time ever. Also, biathlon, alpine skiing, curling, cross country skiing, figure skating, freestyle, ice hockey, and short track speed skating competitions are on the programme.
Prior to the opening ceremony, the President met with members of the Executive Committee of the International University Sport Federation (FISU).
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Address at the Opening Ceremony of the XXIX Winter Universiade
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good evening, friends. Welcome to Russia.
Today, the international festival of university sport, a festival of youth and friendship, determined and honest competing has come to Krasnoyarsk, to the banks of our great Siberian river Yenisei.
Thousands of athletes from dozens of countries will showcase their prowess, power, speed, stamina and, of course, their will to win, strong character and respect for their opponents. I am confident that each of you will remember these days for the rest of your lives, that they will give you only the most joyful impressions and will become a bright page in the history of international sport.
This is what the Summer Universiade in Kazan, the Sochi Olympics and the FIFA World Cup turned out to be, all the major athletic forums hosted by Russia at the highest possible level.
We always welcome our guests open-heartedly with traditional Russian hospitality. And we are sincerely grateful to you – athletes, coaches and federations – for your shared commitment to the ideals of sport, for your readiness to follow its best traditions.
I congratulate everyone on the start of the competitions and wish you success, convincing, remarkable and spectacular victories.
I declare the XXIX Winter Universiade open.