(KZN.RU, January 24) Today, a plane arrived in Vladivostok bringing the flame of the 2013 World Student Games to the Russian soil. A Tu-204-300 airplane with a special lantern on board landed at the Vladivostok international airport at 5:28 pm local time (10:28 am Moscow Time). The plane was met by Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin.
" The Universiade Flame, after a long trip, has finally arrived In Russia. Let this flame light a fire of love for sports in the hearts of our countrymen and spread throughout the entire country. We are awaiting the guests of the Universiade in Kazan and want the Games to become a national holiday. Welcome to Kazan!" concluded the mayor of the capital of Tatarstan.
It will be recalled that the torch relay of the 27th World Summer Universiade kicked off in France July 12, 2012. The solemn ceremony of flame lighting took place at Sorbonne University, which hosted the first World Student Games in 1923. On July 15, the flame was passed to the crew of cadets of the Russian sailing ship "Sedov".
The Russian leg of the torch relay will kick off in Vladivostok. Moving from east to west, the torchbearers will visit dozens of Russia's largest student cities. On July 6, nearly a year after its launch, the relay will end at the Kazan football stadium, becoming the culmination of the Opening Ceremony of the 27th World Summer Universiade.