Kyiv, July 26 – Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Kostiantyn Hryschenko and Education and Science Minister Dmytro Tabachnyk on July 26 attended a festive meeting with the champions and medalists of the XXVII Summer Universiade, which was held in Kazan (Tatarstan, Russia), from July 6 to July 17, 2013, the vice-premier's press service reported on Friday.
During the ceremony, the deputy prime minister thanked young athletes for their successful performance at the World University Games and presented 90 state awards to Ukrainian athletes and coaches.
“On behalf of the Ukrainian president and the government I heartily congratulate you, the pride of Ukrainian sports – the champions and medalists of the 2013 Summer Universiade, coaches, rectors of higher educational institutions and all those who contributed to the high place of Ukraine’s national team,” Hryschenko said in his welcoming speech.
“Your successful starts, dear athletes and coaches, will help promote healthy lifestyles not only among students, but also among other people. Domestic students successfully represented Ukraine in the international arena, having received 77 different medals (12 gold, 29 silver and 36 bronze medals). By the number of awards we are in the top three after Russia and Japan. Such a high result does honor and glory to sports in Ukraine,” he said.
Hryschenko also thanked the rectors and the heads of sports departments of higher educational institutions, sports clubs and national sports federations for their contribution to the preparation and successful performance of Ukraine’s national student team at the Universiade in Kazan.
Among the participants of the 2013 Universiade were 370 Ukrainian students from 90 universities who competed for awards in 23 sports. Students from 42 universities returned to Ukraine with medals.
