Rustam Minnikhanov and Igor Levitin take part in the presentation of the logo for the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2022 in Kazan

On February 5, near the Spasskaya Tower of the Kazan Kremlin, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the presentation of the logo of the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2022 in Kazan.

A video greeting from Chairman of the Special Olympics World Board of Directors Timothy Shriver was shown at the presentation.

Aide to the President of Russia Igor Levitin also made a welcoming speech at the event. “I am confident that the Games will be held at a high level both from the point of view of sports and from the point of view of humanism. A year ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a decision to hold these Games in Russia. We shall both hold the Games successfully and leave a legacy so that everyone, including coaches, teachers, and educators can work successfully in this area,” he said.

“Sport has no boundaries and the Special Olympics Winter Games prove it right. The mission of the Special Olympics will reveal the main principles of our country - equal accessibility and opportunities for everyone,” Minnikhanov said.  “We have vast experience in holding international events. Our mission is to host Special Games at the highest level and to make them the best games in Special Olympics history! Welcome to Kazan!” he went on to say.

Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin also noted that the capital of Tatarstan has experience in holding international events, sports competitions, and “the main thing we gain after each event is friends all over the world."

Only one year to go until the event and we will do our best to get ready to meet our new friends, he stressed.

Event attendees were among the first to see the logo of the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2022.