Press releases

MINSK, 21 March (BelTA) – The opening ceremony of the fourth World University Speed Skating Championship took place at Minsk Arena sports complex on 21 March, BelTA has learned.

The International University Sports Federation (FISU) has been entrusting Belarus with more and more high-profile tournaments, Belarusian Education Minister Igor Karpenko emphasized at the opening.

“The upcoming championship in Minsk offers a good opportunity to its participants to compete at Minsk Arena, find out which university is the best in this sport, and also exchange experience in sports development in their regions and universities. The FISU has earlier praised the organization of the competitions in Belarus. It has been entrusting Belarus with more and more international tournaments. I believe that every team has athletes who can demonstrate the best results,” Igor Karpenko remarked.

The opening ceremony was attended by Belarus’ Deputy Sport and Tourism Minister Alexander Baraulya, Vice President of Belarus’ NOC Sergei Repkin, Chairman of the Belarusian Association of University Sports Alexander Bogdanovich and President of the European University Sport Association, Member of the FISU Executive Committee Adam Roczek.

The Belarusian team includes 18 athletes (12 male and six female athletes). Netherlands, Russia and Japan are considered favorites. All in all, 14 countries will take part in the championships.

The first medal events will take place on 22 March. These will be Women 3000m, Men 5000m, and the Team Sprint. The FISU World University Speed Skating Championships in Minsk will finish on 25 March.