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Applications for Kazan’s Universiade-2013 received from 99 countries

Preparations for the Universiade-2013 are finishing, it is only 190 days to its opening

KAZAN, December 27 (Itar-Tass) — The world’s 99 countries have applied for participation in Kazan’s Universiade-2013, Deputy Director General of Kazan-2013 Igor Sivov said on Thursday.

“Preparations for the Universiade-2013 are finishing, it is only 190 days to its opening,” he said.

The biggest national team will arrive from the US – 600 athletes. Other big teams include China, Japan, Poland, and the UK. Russia, as the organiser, will participate in all kinds of sports, and will present about 995 athletes. Russia’s delegation will make about 1,400 people.

The host city has prepared 32 sports facilities for competitions and 17 for training. Most of them are ready and tested by now. Two complexes – the water palace and the football stadium for 45,000 guests – are being finalised now.

“They both will be ready in spring of the coming year,” Deputy Minister of Construction Vladimir Kudryashov said.

The village, which will accommodate 14,000 guests, is ready. “We have agreements with 73 hotels in the city to accommodate guests and tourists,” Sivov continued.

“We shall cater for 75,000 every day besides guests and tourists,” Kazan’s Mayor Ilsur Metshin said. “It will be our first experience for serving such big numbers.”

“Over 30,000 police will provide security at the Games,” Tatarstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Asgat Safarov said.

The World Universiade is due in the capital city of Tatarstan on 6 – 17 July of 2013. About 13,000 athletes from 170 countries will compete in 27 kinds of sports. The organisers expect about 100,000 guests and tourists.

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