MOSCOW, November 10 (R-Sport) – The Russian city of Krasnoyarsk was officially named the host city of the 2019 Winter University Games at the FISU Executive Committee meeting in Brussels.
The industrial center of roughly 1 million about halfway between Novosibirsk and Lake Baikal in the depths of Siberia was the sole applicant for the Games, after its rival Swiss district of Valais withdrew its candidacy last month.
While winter temperatures in Krasnoyarsk regularly dip down to minus 20 degrees Celsius, it is advantageously located near prime skiing territory in the Sayan Mountain Range.
“There are already a large number of athletes in the city of Krasnoyarsk, and now we hope to welcome students from all around the world,” Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko was quoted as saying on FISU website.
“The development of the youth and sport is of major importance for the government of the city. This is why we believe that Krasnoyarsk will successfully host the 2019 Universiade.”
The Russian federal government is an enthusiastic supporter of the University Games. Krasnoyarsk will become the third Russian city to host the Universiade, following 1973 Games in Moscow and this June’s competition in Kazan.
President Vladimir Putin said in July that Krasnoyarsk "deserves" the games. His backing was crucial in securing the 2014 Winter Olympics for Sochi and the 2018 football World Cup for Russia.
