Over 110,000 tickets to Krasnoyarsk Universiade sold - Medvedev
MOSCOW. Jan 24 (Interfax) - Over 40,000 volunteers have applied to participate in the organization of the Universiade in Krasnoyarsk and over 110,000 viewers from various countries have already bought tickets to these sports competitions, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.
"Interest is high: over 110,000 viewers from different countries have bought tickets and received invitations to the competitions. Over 40,000 volunteers have applied, but only 5,000 will be invited to work; that is, the competition is very high here," Medvedev said at a government meeting.
The Universiade lasts ten days, and the heritage will remain for decades, he said.
"That's how it happened in Kazan, Sochi, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian cities where large international competitions were conducted. I hope all the sports centers, ski runs, skating rinks, and training bases will be used," Medvedev said.
The infrastructure built for the Universiade will give people places to do sports. "And these results of the Universiade are not less significant than participation itself, the medals and the athletes' records," Medvedev said.
Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets, who is in charge of sports, said 59 teams and 3,000 people will take part in the Universiade.
The deputy prime minister called on everyone who wants to attend to buy tickets.
Golodets said the opening of the Universiade is preceded by a torch relay, which began in Turin in fall 2018 and covered several countries and 17 cities of Russia. "The torch relay race will end right before the ceremony on March 2, 2019," she said.
Golodets said the organization of the Universiade is proceeding smoothly.
She showed a plush husky, the symbol of the Universiade. "I want it [the symbol] to be recognized and loved," she said.
The 29th Winter Universiade will be held in Krasnoyarsk on March 2-12.