Kazan Universiade opened with breathtaking Ceremony
KAZAN – (From FISU News) Those present at the Opening Ceremony of the 27th Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia, will not disagree … it was a breathtakingly awesome opening. The sold-out stadium was overwhelmed with the visual magic the host conjured on the 360° projection screen (2,400 m²) in the middle of the Kazan Arena and carried by four supporting 60m-high arches, weighing each more than 500 tons.
(From A.N.M.) Technology was combined with art to produce a marvellous spectacle. Within a tribute to science, astronauts sent their greetings from space to the athletes. A parade of participants from 164 countries (the Russian delegation’s flag carried by weightlifter Dmitry Khomyakov!) was followed by the official opening performed – at the request of FISU President Mr. Claude-Louis Gallien – by President of the Russian Federation Mr. Vladimir Putin.