Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitriy Chernyshenko visited the Aquatics Palace in Kazan today. Accompanied by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, he got acquainted with the infrastructure of the sports venue.

FINA Development Centre in Kazan was presented at the Aquatics Palace by Ranko Tepavcevic – Head of the FINA Development Centre in Kazan.

"On behalf of FINA and respective National Federations, I would like to express deepest gratitude to the Government of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan that during the global pandemic, FINA scholarship holders were allowed to enter the country and fully prepare for the Olympic Games" . Ranko Tepavcevic emphasized that among the new athletes there were some who due to pandemic didn't have the opportunity to train in their countries for almost a year, and now they are actively training in Kazan. At the moment, FINA scholarship programme in Kazan is attended by 29 athletes from four continents (22 swimmers and 7 divers). Many of the swimmers have already been selected and fulfilled the standards for the participation in the Olympic Games. The divers have yet to qualify for the Olympics, and they will have their chance at the World Cup in Tokyo in April. In addition to the training process, scholarship holders also have the opportunity to learn the culture of Tatarstan and the Russian language, visit historical places of Kazan.

Minister of Sport of the Republic of Tatarstan Vladimir Leonov demonstrated a strategy for the development of infrastructure for the large-scale events and the World Championships in 2025, in particular. He also mentioned the international centre of the aquatics development and the world's first indoor high diving facility.

In addition, Dmitriy Chernyshenko was shown the facilities to be used for the FINA World Championships 2025. Kazan will again host the World Aquatics Championships, so the competition will return to the capital of Tatarstan 10 years after the 2015 edition.

"This is not the first time Kazan appears to be one of the leading sports capitals hosting international competitions," said Chernyshenko. - What makes this championships unique? The fact that in the pre-event course, the FINA Development Centre has been established here. Athletes from other countries train here, and this is one of the types of cooperation and partnership. We share our expertise and experience. Here we see that within the framework of the preparation for the World Championships such a model when the remaining legacy being the core basis of any major competition is working."

Chernyshenko brought attention to the unique facility for high diving which is worth noting. "It is essential for the athletes to have a chance to train. In general, this will expand the opportunities for practicing such an extreme sport, and will give us new names, new stars. All this is done to attract as many people as possible to do sports," said the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

Acting Rector of the Volga Region State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism Rafis Burganov introduced the educational institution and its development prospects.

We are glad that the Republic of Tatarstan establishes all the conditions for the sports development and athletes' support. We are looking forward to the Championships in 2025!