Maria Kiseleva, Moscow 08.10.2011
Master of sport, international class (syhchronised swimming); Three-time world champion; Nine-time European champion; Repeat holder of World and European Cups; Repeat champion of Russia
«I’m very pleased that I was awarded such a significant new to me title in my alma mater at the event dedicated to the 2013 World University Summer Games. Unfortunately, while I was a student, I didn’t participate in Universiades, but I defended my country’s honour at the Olympic Games, that’s why I know that such multi-sports forums bring together thousands of people from all over the world. These are people that are in love with sports, whose eyes glitter with will to win, who become devoted friends for many years to come. It’s great that 40 years later Kazan earned the right to host the major international university sports event. It’s nice to know that people in all parts of Russia await the start of the 2013 Summer Universiade, seeing it as a big nationwide festival and calling it ‘OUR Universiade’. Thanks to the FISU Flag Relay, that already passed through 15 cities of Russia, we got convinced that the whole of Russia is getting ready for the Games, because it’s our chance to confirm Russia’s international status of the country of sports.»
