KRASNOYARSK, 12 March (BelTA) – The 29th edition of the Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk ended with a closing ceremony on 12 March. The event took place at the multi-purpose sport center Platinum Arena. The ceremony was staged by outstanding figure skater, Olympic medalist Ilya Averbukh, BelTA has learned.
Belarus fielded 20 athletes in biathlon, cross country skiing, ski-orienteering and aerials. Gold for Belarus was won by Belarusian freestyle skiers Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya (individual), and together with Artyom Bashlakov (mixed team aerials). Silver was collected by biathlete Maksim Varabei in Men Mass Start. Belarus placed 11th in the overall medal standings. Russia topped the medal table with 41 gold, 39 silver and 32 bronze medals. Second was South Korea (6, 4, 4), third – Japan (5, 4, 4).
“The universiade is a good opportunity for athletes to earn experience and gain confidence. Competitions are organized on a high level, they are not inferior to the Olympics. Team Belarus won two gold and one silver medals. There is some things we need to continue working. Yet the results are not bad,” said the 2008 Olympic champion in canoeing, member of the House of Representatives Alexander Bogdanovich, who visited the solemn event.
All in all, the Universiade which was held from 2 to 12 March had 76 medal events in 11 sports: biathlon, Alpine skiing, curling, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ski orienteering, figure skating, freestyle, ice hockey, bandy and short track speed skating. Competing in the sport forum were about 3,000 athletes from more than 50 countries.
Lucerne, Switzerland will host the 30th edition of the Winter Universiade in 2021.
