Rector of INRTU Mikhail Korniakov took part in Torch relay of Winter Universiade-2019
Rector of INRTU Mikhail Korniakov was awarded the right to carry the flame for the Winter Universiade – 2019.
In total 665 flame bearers will take part in the large-scale project over 500 of which were selected fr om among other candidates by cities-participants. The honorary list includes 20 representatives of the Irkutsk Region. These are famous sportsmen, leaders of youth and volunteer movement, people successful in education, science, culture, and other spheres.
The XXIX Winter Universiade starts in Krasnoyarsk on March 2, 2019. The flame for the festival of youth and sports will be lighted with the formal ceremony on September 20, 2018, the International Day of Student Sports. The Universiade Flame relay is aimed at the popularization of this project among the population of Russia and world community. The torch bearers will carry the flame through streets of 30 Russian cities where the leading universities as well as large economic, sports, and culture centers are located.
The competition among the candidates took place in April-May. Everyone aged 18 and older could apply via “Youth of Russia” automated system. The participants presented their essays to the competition committee.
Rector of INRTU Mikhail Korniakov noted in his essay that he is not a professional sportsman but sport takes an important place in his life.
Daily 5-6-kilometer jogs allow me both to switch over from my intensive working schedule and to look positively to the future. Sports give me energy to work efficiently.
I think that people going in for sports and leading healthy life are able to set an example for the others. They are the ones who try to change the world for the better. That’s why I decided that it is important not only to run alone but to involve more people in the activity. Last September the action “Let’s Run Together” started at the University. During the first stage of the action its participants, students and professors, ran a distance equal to the shore length of Lake Baikal that is more than 2100 km. During the second stage within 82-day period we covered a 3030 km distance from Baikal to the Kara Sea following the course of the Angara and Yenisei Rivers. Today our goal is to run 2501 km from Irkutsk to Pyeongchang (Republic of Korea), the capital of the Winter Olympic Games.
To become a Winter Universiade torch bearer is a unique chance to feel a part of this grandiose sports festival that will bring together millions of fans. It is also a feeling of pride in Russia which will host Winter Universiade for the first time in its history,” stressed Mr. Korniakov.
According to Rector of INRTU, the University administartion pays much attention to sports. There are 24 teams in the sports club at INRTU. 350 students, holders of sports grades, annually become winners of Russian and world competitions. The University has over 50 sports facilities including a track and field stadium wh ere it is possible to hold international competitions.
It should be noted that INRTU alumna Angelina Aleksandrova is among the torch bearers too.
Besides, Igor Malov, Rector of the Irkutsk State Medical University, will take part in the flame relay.
REFERENCE: The first Winter Universiade took place in France in 1960 and brought together sportsmen and sportswomen from 16 countries. The program included competitions in five kinds of sports.The Universiade in Krasnoyarsk will take place on March 2-12, 2019. The program will include competitions in downhill skiing, biathlon, skiing race, hockey, short track, snowboard, figure skating, curling, free style, and sports orienteering. About 3000 sportsmen and sportswomen from all continents are expected to participate in the Winter Universiade. Krasnoyarsk is preparing to host over 10 000 guests.
