Ilsur Metshin on the Longevity Games: “Kazan is too good to stay at home or even at a renovated yard when retired”

Today, the opening of the first Longevity Games took place in the Central Stadium. 350 people took part in the sports competitions, professionals and elderly sports fans gathered from all parts of the city. More than 800 people cheered their comrades in the stands. The Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin took part in the opening ceremony and played table tennis with the participants of the Longevity Games.

Welcoming the participants, the Mayor noted the enthusiasm of the life lovers and thanked all veterans and pensioners for their contribution to the development of the republic and its capital, as well as for a worthy example of a healthy lifestyle for young Kazan residents.

“We conceived this project with respect and gratitude for all that your generation has done and continues to do for our city, republic and country. You are an example of enthusiasm and love for life. You are an example for children and youth of Kazan and the republic. I am sure that this project will become traditional and will live for a long time,”- the Mayor of the city addressed the participants.

Ilsur Metshin wished that the social infrastructure facilities of Kazan were filled with representatives of active longevity:

“Kazan is too good to stay at home or even in a renovated yard when retired. The summer season is over, autumn, winter, spring is the time for active longevity. The life lover project is implemented at 91 venues of Kazan. We try to have locations all over Kazan, so that everyone who wants to play sports can do it within walking distance, and they can also visit cultural centers. You can inspire your friends and neighbors”.

Honorary member of the Longevity Games, silver medalist of the Olympic Games in Athens, 10-time world champion, 18-time European champion Svetlana Demina, welcoming the participants, said that since September a training process under the project is carried out at 20 municipal sports venues.

“For many years, we have been discussing about how to make sports accessible, and finally we did it. Now we have the opportunity to come to any sports venue and practice sports for free. I wish you great health and longevity.”

After the parade of the participants of the competition and the cultural program, Ilsur Metshin inspected the sports venue, and also played table tennis with some of the participants.

The Longevity Games is divided into two stages. The best athletes will be selected during the season at the district stage. The city final will be held in May 2024, where participants will compete for victory in each of the disciplines in seven sports.

Pyotr Indereykin, 83-year–old veteran of the Kazan Precision Engineering Plant, will take part in throwing darts, and 62-year-old Milyausha Sagieva will show her many years of experience in Nordic walking, she has been engaged in this sport since 2016.

More than 800 fans gathered at the Central Stadium today. Lyubov Shevtsova came to support participants from the Aviastroitelny city district. “It is a great honor to participate in the Games. We have a lot of people who want to take part, but my desire is to charge athletes from the stands and cheer for my district. Maybe next year I will take part in the Games,”- she said.