A press conference was held in Kazan on the day before the start of the First All-Russian Urban Games.
The First All-Russian Urban Games will be held in Kazan on September 19-20. Up to 80 sets of medals will be contested. The competitions will be held in the new Uram Extreme Park and will bring together about 800 participants.
The press conference was attended by Minister of Sport of the Republic of Tatarstan, Vladimir Leonov, and repeat winner and medallist of BMX freestyle competitions, Irek Rizaev, who is a member of the Russian national team.
Minister of Sport of the Republic of Tatarstan, Vladimir Leonov, said that with the appearance of the Uram park in Kazan, extreme sports will gain additional momentum in the republic and nationwide.
“A couple of years it was beyond our wildest dreams to train at a specially designed venue, and now such a unique extreme park has been constructed in the capital of Tatarstan. Today, Irek Rizaev is a top rider here. We hope that thanks to the construction of the park, we will keep getting new athletes who can successfully perform under Russia’s colours on the international arena,” said Vladimir Leonov. He said that Kazan will be bidding to host high-level extreme sports competitions.
Irek Rizaev also mentioned that he was impressed by the Uram Extreme Park and said that he plans to prepare for the Tokyo 2021 Summer Olympic Games in Kazan.
“This is an incredible venue. I often search places around the world to gear up for world championships and Olympics, and I was lucky that such a great venue was constructed in Kazan, in my home city, and the whole world envies it. I have not seen a venue like this anywhere. It has everything for extreme sports enthusiasts! You can bring children here, and they will have every opportunity to succeed in taking the champion title. Top riders from all over the world message me and say, ‘As soon as the borders are open, we will come to Kazan!” said Irek Rizaev.
Competitions will be held in such sports as basketball, cycling (BMX freestyle park), roller sport, skateboarding, dance sport (break dance), football freestyle, cheerleading. The Games programme also includes demonstration sports: rope skipping, parkour and teqball.
“The national skateboarding championship and the qualifying round of the Red Bull Half Court tournament will be held on the sidelines of the Games. There will be an entertaining cultural programme and exciting sports competitions. The venue is ready, we kick off on Saturday. If we host the Games successfully this year, we can make them open next year and invitate athletes from different countries,” said Vladimir Leonov.
“I am 100 percent positive: there will be a great show in Kazan. It will be something incredible,” Irek Rizaev concluded.
Press Office of Directorate for Sports and Social Projects