Kazan ready for World University Games

Kazan is ready for the 27th Summer World University Games beginning next week, its mayor Ilsur Metshin has said.

"I hope you have seen it for yourselves and felt how greatly our city has changed. This is all thanks to the Universiade," Metshin told a meeting of the executive committee of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Sunday.

"Now I am proud for an opportunity to host such a high-level event but at the same time I am somewhat sad because in a span of two weeks, the Games we have been preparing for five years will become history," the official was quoted as as saying by Xinhua.

The Universiade Village, a neighbourhood of 53 hectares, was officially established on Saturday. It has a total residential area of 274,000 square meters and can accommodate over 14,500 people.

Supporting facilities such as restaurants and medical centre are also included in the complex.

Director general of the executive directorate of the Universiade Vladimir Leonov said as many as 5,000 employees and 20,000 volunteers would work at the Games.

The Universiade will bring together delegations from 162 countries and regions. These people will not have to obtain Russian visas in line with a presidential decree.

The Games will be held from July 6 to July 17. Athletes will vie for 351 sets of medals in 27 sports disciplines.