Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov presents republican awards to FINA executives

“Today we have an opportunity to celebrate your great contribution to the development of sports both in the republic and the country. Thanks to the FINA World Championship 2015, we can inscribe your names in the history of our sports,” Minnikhanov said, as reported by the Tatarstan President’s Press Office.

The Tatarstan President also expressed his confidence that the World Aquatics Championships will be far from being the last project implemented jointly with FINA, and Tatarstan’s experience of staging major sporting events will be put to use in other countries as well. Moreover, the fact that Kazan presently boasts experienced specialists and modern infrastructure allows hosting high-profile sporting events here, he said.

Rustam Minnikhanov handed the Duslyk Order and the Kazan 2015 commemorative medal to Dr. Julio C. Maglione for fruitful cooperation and considerable contribution to the preparation and holding of the 16th FINA World Championships in Kazan. Cornel Marculescu also received the commemorative medal and the Order For Merit to the Republic of Tatarstan. 

Later the same day, Rustam Minnikhanov and FINA executives visited a multi-purpose sports complex with a gym and a swimming pool located at the Volga Youth Centre in the Laishevsky Municipal District. Present during the site visit also were Chief of Staff of the Tatarstan President’s Administrative Office Asgat Safarov, Tatarstan’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport Vladimir Leonov, Director General of the Directorate for Sports and Social Projects Azat Kadyrov and other officials.

On January 25, the FINA executives also had a meeting with Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin at the Kazan City Hall. The Mayor offered due recognition to the FINA executives’ contribution to the preparation and delivery of the 16th FINA World Championships and expressed hope that world aquatics tournament will not be the last project implemented jointly with FINA.