VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's address at the dedication ceremony for the new football stadium was broadcast at the simultaneous opening ceremonies for seven new sports venues in Kazan.
"I declare the new sports venues of the XXVII World Student Games in 2013 open!" announced Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to cheers and applause from the audience
Prime Minister Putin's address:
Good afternoon, friends,
Isanmesez ("Hello" in Tatar),
I'm sure that we all are happy to be here today at this very important and momentous event. We're laying the first stone for a new sports venue, one of the largest sports facilities in Tatarstan and all of Russia. This stadium will seat 45,000 people.
It will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the XXVII Student Games 2013. Athletes from great countries around the world will compete here.
In Tatarstan and Kazan they know well what modern lifestyle and quality of life mean, and they are paying special attention to mass sports. There are 9,000 sports venues in Kazan, 150 of which were built and opened in 2009 alone. And another seven venues opened today.
The first President of Tatarstan, Mintimer Shaimiyev, has done a great deal to strengthen the economy, social services and sports of Tatarstan.
I'd like to express my gratitude to him once again, and express my hope and confidence that the new leaders of the republic - the current president may be new, but he is experienced, having managed the government of Tatarstan for many years -will do everything in their power to make life in Tatarstan even better, creating new opportunities for sports.
You have something to be proud of. The Ak Bars ice hockey team and Rubin football team, as well as your volleyball and basketball teams, are not only the pride of Kazan and Tatarstan but of all Russia. Congratulations for these achievements.
And of course, it's important that these venues be used by regular people after the 2013 Student Games. I am confident that this stadium will be built and commissioned on schedule, giving us an advantage over other countries in our bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
I'd like to wish the construction workers and future athletes - the athletes who will compete here at the 2013 Student Games - the best of luck. I wish them success and brilliant victories. Thank you very much. Good luck!
