KRASNOYARSK, March 12. /TASS/. The flame of the 29th FISU Winter Universiade, hosted by Russia’s Krasnoyarsk this month, has been put out during the official closing ceremony at the Platinum Ice Arena on Tuesday.
The Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, which has a population of over one million, hosted the 2019 FISU Winter Universiade between March 2 and 12 bringing together some 3,000 athletes from 58 countries.
The closing ceremony opened with the ‘Youth Energy, Sport’s Triumph’ show performed by the ice dancing figure skaters from Krasnoyarsk led by the 2014 Olympic champion in women’s singles figure skating, Adelina Sotnikova.
After the introductory part of the ceremony was over and the national anthem of Russia was played, national flags of all 58 participating countries were brought to the arena, signaling the parade of athletes.
One of the highlights of the closing ceremony, was the performance dedicated to some 5,000 volunteers, who assisted during the international sports event in Krasnoyarsk. A musical composition in their honor was written and composed by Bogachi, the authors of the 2014 Sochi Olympics anthem of volunteers, and was performed during the ceremony on Tuesday.
The farewell ceremony in Krasnoyarsk was attended by Oleg Matytsin, the president of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Russian Presidential Aide Igor Levitin, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets, Russian Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov and other guests of honor.
Following the parade of athletes and the presentation to thank the volunteers of the 2019 Winter Universiade, Russian Prime Minister Medvedev and FISU President Matytsin delivered their speeches.
"We have been preparing this event for almost six years, and we made everything to let our guests and the competitors feel the warmth and hospitality of Russia and could find new good friends," the official website of the 2019 Universiade quoted Medvedev as saying at the ceremony.
"Eleven unbelievable days passed full of powerful and bright emotions. I would like to sincerely congratulate all the champions of the Winter Universiade 2019," Medvedev stated. "You had decent contenders but you became the strongest of the best."
"However, the main victory and the principal result is not having only champions on these competitions but also no losers," the Russian premier added.
Before officially declaring the 2019 Winter Universiade closed, FISU President Oleg Matytsin praised the hosts’ organization of the tournament, the vital role of volunteers and the high level of dedication on behalf of all participating athletes.
"We have experienced plenty of emotions over the past days," Matytsin said. "Thanks to our empathy towards athletes, we shared with them the joy of victory and the disappointment of defeat. And, most importantly, we experienced sincere admiration for the commitment from all those who contributed to this brightest winter sports festival of the year!"
"Krasnoyarsk has set new standards for preparation and hospitality," Matytsin stated. "The days that we spent here, in the heart of Siberia, will always remain in our memory!"
"Allow me to extend special thanks to a particular group of people without whom the Universiade would have not been possible. I am speaking of course of the volunteers," the FISU chief continued. "From early morning till night they were among us, with a constant smile on their face, always ready to help. The warmth of their hearts even melted snow on the streets of Krasnoyarsk."
As the FISU president declared the 2019 Winter Universiade closed in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk the farewell ceremony proceeded further with the handover of the FISU flag to the host of the next edition of the Winter Universiade, which is Switzerland’s Lucerne.
The FISU flag was handed over to Beat Zusli, the mayor of Lucerne, who said: "What a Winter Universiade this has been. I am overwhelmed. In 2021 central Switzerland will host the next Winter Universiade."
The culmination of the closing ceremony was a farewell to the Flame of the 29th Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk. A fiery flower symbolizing the cauldron with the flame of the tournament emerged in the centre of the ice arena. Then the petals of this structure bloomed, embodying Trollius, the 'Siberian rose.' A six-year-old 2019 Universiade Ambassador, Zlata Demyanova, and U-Laika, the mascot of the Winter Universiade 2019, were both honored to extinguish the flame.
The 2019 Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk offered 76 sets of medals in 11 sports competitions, which are Alpine Skiing, Curling, Biathlon, Figure Skating, Cross-Country Skiing, Ice Hockey, Snowboard, Short Track Speed Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Bandy and Ski Orienteering.
Athletes of the Russian national team finished first in the overall medals standings of the 2019 Universiade with 41 gold, 39 silver and 32 bronze medals. South Korea is ranked 2nd with six gold, four silver and four bronze medals. Japan is 3rd with five gold, four silver and four bronze medals.
The Winter Universiade is an international sporting and cultural festival which is staged every two years in a different city. The name of the international sports event is a combination of two words, which are ‘University’ and ‘Olympiad.’
It is only second to the Olympic Games. The program of the Winter Universiade currently includes 6 compulsory sports (8 compulsory disciplines) and up to 3 optional sports chosen by the host country.