World University Games start in Kazan

KAZAN, Russia (Xinhua) - The 2013 Summer Universiade raised its curtain amid a spectacular opening ceremony in Kazan on Saturday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin officially opened the Games at the ceremony held in the newly built "Kazan Arena" Stadium.

When addressing the full capacity of 45,000 at the ceremony, the Russian President said the scale of the Universiade can be compared only to the Olympic Games.

"On behalf of a hospitable Russia I welcome you to the Universiade in Kazan. Gathered here today are the successful, young athletes. We have made every effort for the participants of this sports festival to be able to show good results," said Putin.

"I wish you to overcome yourselves and turn in personal bests. Let the seconds of struggle and triumph be vivid and memorable, and let them stay for the rest of your lives."

Before and after the athletes' parade, there was an Olympic-style art performance, a brilliant combination of dazzling light, music, dance and fireworks.

The ceremony reached the climax with an intricate cauldron lighting, which saw four Russian athletes with each holding a torch, including world famous women's volleyball player Ekaterina Gamova, light up the cauldron together.

The biggest sporting event ever held in Russia in almost 20 years, the Summer Universiade has attracted more than 10,000 student athletes from 162 countries and regions, who will vie for 351 gold medals in 27 sports.

The Summer Games that will run through to July 17 in the capital of Russian Republic of Tatarstan is seen as a "test ground" for Russia's readiness for big games. Russia will host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in the southern city of Sochi and the World Cup soccer finals in 2018.

The Games have a $4.5 billion price tag as 30 out of the 64 venues were built for the event. Of the total cost, around $435 million was allocated to the construction of the Universiade village, which will afterwards become Russia's largest student accommodation complex.

First held in Turin in 1959, this year's event will be the 27th World University Games. Participants must be between 17 and 28 and studying for a degree or diploma, or have graduated within the past year.

China has sent a 290-strong delegation for this year's Universiade, hoping to make more splash after finishing second on the medals table at last year's London Olympics.

The Chinese athletes coming from 85 universities will be spearheaded by four Olympic champions and will compete in 21 sports.

A biggest ever Chinese delegation won 75 gold, 39 silver and 31 bronze medals to finish atop on both gold-medal and medals standings at the Shenzhen Universiade in 2011.