Quite a little time left until the Universiade. The final preparations are being completed in Almaty – the facilities are checked and the readiness of transport is tested. The testing conditions are created close to real. 3,000 volunteers acted as athletes and followed the route from the airport to the athletic village. Every step is calculated literally by the minute and even seconds.

NAIL NUROV, DIRECTOR, DIRECTORATE OF UNIVERSIADE 2017:

We check how long it takes to deliver guests from the airport to the Athletic Village. We check how much time is spent on inspection: body searches and baggage screening, passing the accreditation and payment of accommodation. In general, in a word, everything that today is possible to measure.

According to the Universiade’s directorate, the athletic village is ready to receive guests. Presently, the residential rooms are being equipped.

SANYM SHARIPOVA, HEAD OF MANAGING DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSIADE 2017 ATHLETIC VILLAGE:

Number of apartments totals 1,748. We are confident to receive 5,000 people, and we are ready to meet them.

The management of the athletic village is ready to meet and treat with generous hospitality. More than 140 tons of meat and dairy products will be purchased for the Universiade participants.

Medical workers are also ready for force majeure during the competition. During the games 8 hospitals and 30 ambulance crews will be involved. Police with more than 7,000 employees of the Interior Ministry will patrol the city. But most of all the participants themselves prepare for the Universiade. Athletes are focused not only on physical activity, but the emotional balance.

MIKHAIL DUDCHENKO, HEAD COACH OF KAZAKHSTAN NATIONAL BIATHLON TEAM:

During the Asian Games, the stadiums were overcrowded with the fans. They shouted quite loudly to support the athletes. But not every athlete can withstand this pressure. It is necessary for the athlete to have psychological preparation to completely focus on competition and continue to shoot well. This is a serious test.

This is a serious test and a great responsibility, because nearly 1 billion viewers.

These competitions will not only raise the prestige of Kazakhstan, but also generate real economic benefits. Almaty will receive the guests from across the world, and this will boost the tourism development. In addition, Universiade will involve 10 sports facilities, two of which are specially constructed for the Student Games. And after their completion, the apartments in the athletic village will be available to Almaty citizens.