500 days before the start of the 29th Winter Universiade 2019 was celebrated today in Krasnoyarsk. On this day, the launch of social and cultural projects dedicated to the Student Games took place, and an entertainment program was organized for guests and residents of the city.

The Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation Pavel Kolobkov took part in the festive events. The head of the Ministry gave a start to the Winter Universiade 2019 lessons in Gymnasium No. 13 "Akadem". The event was also attended by the Winter Universiade 2019 Ambassadors, medalists and champions of the Olympic Games: two-time Olympic champion in the uneven bars Svetlana Khorkina, Olympic figure skating champion Ilya Averbukh, two-time biathlon champion Evgeny Ustyugov .

During the lesson, over 200 students were able to get acquainted with the sports programme of the Games, as well as learn about the legends of Russian sports and the Winter Universiade 2019 Ambassadors. Pavel Kolobkov talked with students about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, wished the children sports victories and success in their studies.

Apart from that, on October 18, the "Handmade gifts" project has started, where anyone can make souvenirs for athletes and guests of the Winter Universiade. "Dobroe Delo" volunteer center held the opening of the first exhibition stand with the participation of the acting Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Krasnoyarsk Territory Alexey Kleshko and a young blogger, Ambassador Student Games Zlata Demyanova. At the event, residents of the region presented souvenirs on the topic of sport, the sights of Krasnoyarsk and Siberia. In total, during the project, the organizers plan to collect at least 8,000 gifts and souvenirs.

At the end of the day, "Bobrovy Log" Funpark, organized a large-scale celebration for residents and guests of Krasnoyarsk. The organizers of the event were the Directorate of the Winter Universiade 2019 and "Norilsk Nickel" - General Partner of the Student Games.

During the holiday, the countdown before the Student Games was solemnly launched with the participation of the Minister of Sport of the Russian Fedearion Pavel Kolobkov, acting chairman of the Krasnoyarsk Territory Government Viktor Tomenko, Director General of the Directorate of the Winter Universiade 2019 Maxim Urazov, Ambassadors of the Winter Universiade 2019: Svetlana Khorkina, Ilya Averbukh and Zlata Demyanova.

The clock became the second art object of the Winter Universiade 2019 in Krasnoyarsk and a new attraction of "Bobrovy Log" Funpark.

"Today is 500 days before the opening of the Winter Universiade 2019. Holding of the Student Games in Krasnoyarsk underlines the great respect and confidence in us as the country where the largest international competitions are held. We look forward to the opening of the Winter Universiade 2019, and in the next 500 days we still have a lot to do. I am sure that the Student Games will be the most unforgettable event of 2019", - said the Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation Pavel Kolobkov.

Also today, as part of the festive program, the theatrical project "Theater on the Roof" with the play "Psyche", music bands "Limebridge" and "Diskoteka Avariya", resident of the TV project "StandUp" on TNT channel Slava Komissarenko. Besides, students and the rector of Moscow State University Viktor Sadovnichiy joined the festival online.

"Only 500 days left before the Winter Universiade 2019. I wish everyone that they will be the most saturated and efficient. I'm sure that we will be proud of our athletes. When they win medals, we will say that we have done everything to make this Winter Universiade the most memorable,” - concluded the Ambassador of Student Games, two-time Olympic champion in uneven bars Svetlana Khorkina.

The culmination of the event was a video call from cosmonauts of the International Space Station. Alexander Misurkin and Sergei Ryazansky, together with the mascot of the Student Games U-laika, welcomed the gathered participants of the event and wished successful Winter Universiade 2019.