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Kazan 2013 Ambassadors

Famous athletes of Russia, as well as representatives of the national cultural elite, were awarded the honorary title of Kazan 2013 Ambassador. The mission of a Kazan 2013 Ambassador is to promote the ideas of the Universiade, to popularise and develop the values of university sports, tourism and a healthy lifestyle.

Sergey Chepikov

Ekaterinburg

Merited Master of Sport of Russia, two-time Olympic champion, two-time world champion and first Russian biathlete to win the World Cup. Participant of six Olympic Games. He played for Dynamo (Sverdlovsk/Ekaterinburg). Deputy of Sverdlovsk Region Duma (since 2008). Coach and consultant for the Russian biathlon team.

"During my all student years I was dreaming to participate in the World University Games, but practically all the time they coincided with the Olympics. When I learned that the Universiade will be held in our country, in Kazan, I bought all the necessary equipment and started to gear up for shooting competitions at the 2013 Summer Universiade. But recently I was told that there are age restrictions for participants of World University Games (laughs). But, if serious, now, as a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Sverdlovsk Region, I’m responsible for sports and sports infrastructure development in the region. I’m especially interested in the experience of Kazan which deserves to be named the 'sports capital of Russia'. I dream to visit the city, and before the start of the Universiade I’m ready to get engaged in promotion of the international university sports movement in the Russian society."

Sergey Ulegin

Saratov

Merited Master of Sport (canoe sprint), Olympic silver medallist (Beijing 2008), two-time world champion and five-time European champion.

"Unfortunately, I never participated in the Universiades. And I would be happy if the International University Sports Federation will expand the age restrictions for the Wold University Games. I’m deeply honoured to be a Kazan 2013 Ambassador. I was at the Beijing Olympiс Games in 2008 and was astonished by high quality sports facilities and high level of the Olympic event’s management. Now, when we know how Kazan is getting ready for the Universiade, I’m confident that the level of the Games 2013 organisation will be close to Shenzhen 2011, and even more than that, it will be close to the Olympic level of Beijing 2008. Personally, I’m ready to promote the ideas of the Universiade among youth, tell young athletes and sports enthusiasts about the world university sports movement and invite them to the Universiade in Kazan."

Tatiana Gorbunova

Moscow

Merited Master of Sports in Rhythmic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics group gold medallist at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, world champion (2007), European champion (2008).

Tatyana Kalmykova

Saransk

Master of Sport International Level (track and field), world champion, two-time U18 women’s world record holder, World Cup holder 2008 (both in individual and team rankings) and participant of the Olympic Games.

"It’s a great honour for me to be a Kazan 2013 Ambassador in my home town, which gave birth to dozens of celebrated champions. I will do my best to be worthy of the title, to represent my home town, republic and World University Games which were awarded to my country. Despite the fact that I’m first of all engaged in development of my sports career, the social mission of the Kazan 2013 Ambassador is a very important stage of my life that, I hope, will be useful to students and athletes of Russia."

Valentin

St Petersburg

Actor, musician, runner-up of the Be a Star project (the Russian adaptation of the Australian Popstars TV show), winner of the International Singing Mask Vocal Competition, Entree Variety Talent Competition Show, Idols of the 21st Century All-Russian Popsingers Contest. Absolute winner of the 1st International Vkontakte Star – Europe Plus Competition for Young Performers.