Official website of the President of Russia

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President of Russian Dmitry Medvedev: Mintimer Sharipovich, we have just seen a very interesting presentation about Kazan as the capital of the Summer World Student Games in 2013. Obviously, much has already been done and a great deal of work lies ahead. In this regard, there are several points that I would like to mention specifically.

First, at the earliest possible moment, I will sign a decree establishing a federal regulatory framework for the work to be done. We will create an organising committee, resolve a number of other organisational issues and, drawing on the opportunities that already exist, we will go into action.

Secondly, this is very important for the Olympics in Sochi. In effect, the 2013 World Student Games will be a technological testing ground. In addition to being a great sporting event, this site will aid in the preparation and application of various technologies to be used at the Sochi Olympics. Thus we will be participating in a continuous process, and that is also very important.

Lastly — and you and I have talked about this before and it came up again during the mayor's presentation — it is very important, perhaps even the most important thing, that a significant portion of the Games will have a social dimension. This means in effect turning the hotels and a number of the sports facilities into part of an educational complex. As I understand it, they will eventually become part of a large university campus. Furthermore, a number of housing problems can be resolved at the same time. In other words, the World Student Games will become a big social project, which the republic and the country as a whole can carry out.