SPORTS
World University Games start in Kazan
Baku, July 8 (AZERTAC). The 2013 World University Summer Games have opened in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, president of the International University Sports Federation, Claude-Louis Gallien, Tatarstan`s president Rustam Minnikhanov attended the opening of the 27th Summer Universiade in Kazan, which is the biggest ever, with 10,442 athletes from 162 countries competing in 27 sports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin officially opened the Games at the ceremony held in the newly built “Kazan Arena” Stadium.
Before and after the athletes` parade, there was an Olympic-style art performance, a brilliant combination of dazzling light, music, dance and grandiose fireworks.
The1st Olympic Games champion among juniors, weightlifter Nijat Rahimov was Azerbaijan`s flag-bearer at the event.
The ceremony reached the climax with an intricate cauldron lighting, which saw four Russian athletes with each holding a torch, including world famous women`s volleyball player Ekaterina Gamova, light up the cauldron together.