OREANDA-NEWS. Vladimir Putin inspected preparations for the XXVII Summer World University Games to be held in 2013.

President Putin visited a number of sports facilities, including the Water Sports Palace and the Kazan Arena soccer stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies for the University Games will take place. Soccer World Cup matches will be played in the stadium in 2018.

The Water Sports Palace has three pools and will host its first test competitions in April. In May, it will be the venue for a competition in the International Diving Federation’s Grand Prix series, and in 2015 will be the main venue for the world water sports championship.

The President held a meeting of the Council for the Development of Physical Culture and Sport.