Olympic torch relay arrived in Saratov on Jan. 11. At the railway station the Olympic flame was met by Saratov Region government deputy chair M.V. Goremyko, Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy N.B. Brilenok, first deputy of Russian Railways V.L. Gerus, volunteers from Saratov schools and universities.
Deputy chair M.V. Goremyko welcomed everyone saying that Olympic torch relay is a special occasion for all Saratov citizens. He wished the torchbearers to successfully complete their part of the relay and hoped that the citizens would get a wonderful entertainment. “We are very proud to take part in the relay. We would remember this celebration, and the Olympic flame would warm our hearts”, said M.V. Goremyko.
First deputy of Russian Railways V.L. Gerus announced the Olympic torch relay route. For the first time in history the Olympic flame travels all across Russia. In Saratov it covered the longest distance of about 50 km. 250 people carried the torch along 40 streets of the city.
The first torchbearer was the Diving Olympic Champion, SSU graduate Ilia Zakharov. He lighted the torch and went towards Lokomotiv stadium. Ilia passed the torch to the two-time Judo Veterans World Champion, four-time Sambo Veterans World Champion, SSU Prof. V.N. Chinilov. In his opinion the Olympic Games unite our country. “At the relay I felt myself a small part of a great chain that unites all Russia”, he commented.
SSU Vice-rector for Educational and Social work I.G. Malinski was the ninth torchbearer. University students met him with applause, posters and chants.
I.G. Malinski mentioned that SSU has taken an active part in the relay organization. In his opinion, Olympic Games are a great event for Russia; the torch relay is very well organized. Many SSU representatives carried the Olympic torch, about 180 SSU volunteers helped along the way, lots of students and university professors supported relay participants. Then the Olympic torch was lighted by A.I. Kogan, vice-president of Figure Skating Federation of Russia, director of Sochi-2-14 figure skating committee.
Volunteer N.S. Pavlova passed the torch to SSU President L.Yu. Kossovich who carried it along Moskovskaya Street towards SSU main building. L.Yu. Kossovich shared his opinion about the importance of Olympic Games for the university, city and country. “The Olympics is the events of the world-wide scale. We are proud that it happens in Russia. Everyone is in a good mood despite the rain. In the summer I took part in Universiade flame relay and carried the torch, too. It was very beautiful, very emotional. This time everything is even greater. I am honored to take part in such an important event!”
L.Yu. Kossovich passed the torch to Saratov State Universiry rector A.N. Chumachenko who made a point of the relay importance. “I am proud that I carry this torch. I believe only together we can achieve our goals and make our life better. Sochi Olympic games is a symbol of a united world”. SSU rector carried the Olympic torch along Astrakhanskaya Street and passed it to the youngest torchbearer Konstantin Pantenkov.
159th torchbearer was badminton master of sport, SSU Faculty of Law student Julia Zapolskaia who went along Sokolovaya Street. She thinks we should respect every sport discipline as it requires a lot of effort, patience and commitment. Olympic torch relay promotes sport and healthy life style.
Deputy Head of Education and Research Institute of Nanostructures and Biosystems and 171st torchbearer Prof. D.A. Gorin agrees. He thinks sport and science have a lot in common: only top team performance brings results.
The relay was taken up by the Chair of Undergraduate and graduate student council G. Bolotov who worked as an Uversiade-2013 volunteer coordinator in 2011-2013. He considers taking part in the relay a new impulse for student sport and university life.
Head of the Department of education work organization A.V. Golovchenko also told about his experience in the torch relay. “Not everyone can be a torchbearer, you have to deserve it. You don’t have to be an outstanding sportsman, but you have to do good”. In the relay he represented All-Russia Youth Organization “Russian Student Teams”.
The highest point of the Olympic torch relay was the lighting of the cauldron at Theater Square. The last 250th torchbearer was Natalia Lobova, multiple time winner of Russian and international canoeing championships and SSU student. Together with Gov. V.V. Radaev she lighted the cauldron.
In his welcoming speech V.V. Radaev highlighted the unifying force of the Olympics. “This is a very patriotic moment. Olympic flame unites Russia”. He also noticed many young people who took part in the celebration.
Natalia Lobova told that the Olympic torch relay helped to fulfill her dream. She took part in Summer Olympics in London. Now she’s been able to participate in Winter Olympic.
The Olympic torch relay in Saratov finished with beautiful fireworks.
