The Mayor of Kazan and the Minister of Sports of France discussed cooperation in the sports sphere

(KZN.RU, July 15). Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, and Laura Flessel-Colovic, the French Minister of Sports, discussed cooperation in the sports sphere today. The meeting took place on the initiative of the French side.

Ilsur Metshin and Laura Flessel-Colovic met in the Berezovaya Roscha near the Mirny settlement, where today Kazan residents celebrated Sabantuy. The French Minister of Sports visited the Tatar people's holiday together with other members of the delegation. She said that what she’s seen impressed her, and Kazan appeared to her on the new side.

During the conversation, the sides discussed the exchange of experience in organizing major sports events and the development of the volunteer movement, which plays an important role in the conduct of landmark events. Also, one of the topics of discussion was the application of the French capital to host the Olympic Games-2024, which was supported by the Mayor of Kazan among other city leaders from around the world.

Earlier, Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, visited Kazan to study the successful experience of the city's participation in the application campaigns for the right to host various major sports events.

At today's meeting with Ilsur Metshin, Laura Flessel-Colovic, the French Minister of Sports, noted the importance of exchanging experience with Kazan, which has hosted several major sports events and will host new ones in the future.

The Mayor of Kazan wished the guest of Paris victory in the bid campaign. The rivals of the French capital for hosting the Olympics-2024 are Los Angeles and Budapest. Elections of the city-organizer of the Olympic Games will be held on September 13 this year at the IOC session in Lima.

“We wish it with all our heart, you deserve a victory”, said I. Metshin. “The city that will host the Olympics-2024 will be determined in two months. You are one step away from the finish line, and it needs to be done”.

Laura Flessel-Colovic noted that they cherish relations with Kazan, Tatarstan, and Russia in a whole. She drew attention to the great efforts made in the city and republic for the development of the sport, the involvement of children and youth in sports. According to her, it would be useful for France to adopt this experience. “We see that the population is engaged in sports, and your sports practice for all is important to me. We think about children and young people and want the number of people involved in sports to increase”, the guest told about the tasks facing the ministry.

Ilsur Metshin noted that a major role in this was played by the holding of the Universiade-2013. “Kazan before the Universiade and after it is two different cities”, said the Mayor. “It's not because new sports facilities have appeared but people have changed”.

“Of course, Paris is a city with rich traditions and history. But it will be two different cities before the Olympics and after it, it will be a new Paris. You will feel the great pleasure that you are participating in this process”, added the Mayor of Kazan.