WorldSkills flag relay begins in Sochi Russia

The WorldSkills flag has started its long journey to Kazan, with its formal arrival in Sochi, Russia.  On 19 October 2017, the WorldSkills flag was handed over to Russia at the Closing Ceremony of the 44th WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 Competition Organizers, represented by His Excellency Mubarak Saeed Al Shamsi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, and Mr Ali Al Marzouqi, CEO of WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017, handed over the WorldSkills flag to representatives of the Organizing Committee of WorldSkills Kazan 2019. 

Russia was represented by Olga Golodets, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for the 45th WorldSkills Competition, Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Robert Urazov, Director General of WorldSkills Russia, Ilsur Metshin, Mayor of Kazan, and Alexey Likhachev, Director General of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM). 

“Abu Dhabi has passed the relay to the Russian city of Kazan”, said Olga Golodets. “Russia fully supports the WorldSkills movement. We guarantee that the next Competition will be transparent, fair and without discrimination. All Competitors will have the opportunity to compete at the highest level, and to experience real Russian hospitality, as well as a fascinating cultural programme. Together we will inspire a generation, developing quality of labour and quality of life for all. Welcome to Russia! Welcome to Kazan!"

After the Closing Ceremony Konstantin Larin, Russia’s Best of Nation at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017, was entrusted with the role of the WorldSkills flag keeper. An official welcome event took place at Sochi airport on 20 October, and the WorldSkills Flag Relay project has now been launched. The next leg of the relay will see the WorldSkills flag travel to the International Space Station, before returning to Earth at the end of February 2018. 

It is proposed that from March 2018, the WorldSkills flag will continue its journey through the 33 cities that have hosted the WorldSkills Competition, across 21 countries.  After the international leg, the WorldSkills Flag Relay will continue to make its way through all 85 regions of the Russian Federation, as well as 43 municipal districts and 2 city districts of the Republic of Tatarstan.

At the end of its journey, the WorldSkills flag will be delivered to Kazan for the Opening Ceremony of WorldSkills Kazan 2019. Detailed information about the event can be found on the official website: www.worldskills2019.com