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Putin to visit Kazan for opening ceremony of Games of the Future

The Games will feature entirely new sports disciplines combining advanced technology, the digital environment and physical activity

MOSCOW, February 21. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit the city of Kazan on Wednesday where the Games of the Future international tournament is set to kick off.

The head of state announced plans to visit the city at a forum dubbed Strong Ideas for a New Time, which was hosted by the Agency for Strategic Initiatives on Tuesday.

According to earlier reports, President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan will also attend the opening ceremony. Japarov’s press service said that while in Kazan, he planned to hold meetings with Putin and Tatarstan’s head Rustam Minnikhanov.

In late 2023, the Russian president invited the leaders of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries to attend the opening ceremony of the Games of the Future in Kazan. Putin said then that the innovative tournament will "combine more dynamic sports events and cybersports." He also stressed that sports and physical culture were an integral part of humanitarian cooperation.

Games of the Future

Kazan will host the Games of the Future between February 21 and March 3, 2024. The Games will feature entirely new sports disciplines combining advanced technology, the digital environment and physical activity. The competitions are designed to use cutting-edge developments in cybersports, robotics, both augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR), information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI). Some 2,000 athletes from over 100 countries are set to compete in 21 innovative sports disciplines.

The firebird of peace will be the mascot of the first Games of the Future in Kazan. The mascot was designed by students from Tatarstan and St. Petersburg State University.

Preparations for tournament

Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin pointed out that the city’s sports venues, as well as eating and cultural facilities and hotels, were ready to welcome guests. About 6,000 participants, guests and volunteers are expected to arrive in Kazan. Metshin said that the city would offer them a broad range of cultural events.

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