The first deputy sports minister of the Russian Federation Azat Kadyrov welcomed the participants at the opening ceremony of the Games.
“Only a harmoniously developed personality can become the basis of a modern, technologically developed, open and strong state. You are the future”, – Azat Kadyrov said.
In his welcome address the deputy minister of science and higher education for the Russian Federation Grigory Gurov noted that the unique tournament represents a new format of competitions.
“The combination of classic and digital events will make it possible to create the conditions for a harmonious development of the citizens of Russia who have strong health, a well-developed physical level and demanded competences”, – Grigory Gurov said.
Sergei Seyranov, acting rector of RSUPCSYT, president of the Russian Student Sport Union (RSSU) noted how important it is to hold this new type of competitions within the walls of the largest sports university of Russia.
“It is always nice to be the first, especially if you are a perfectionist. It is symbolic that one of the oldest universities founded in 1918 which formed the standards of sport preparation is becoming a pioneer in mastering new formats of sports competitions when athletes compete in eSports and then step on sports arenas in real conditions. These innovations give birth to new traditions”, – Sergei Seyranov underscored.
The head of the working group involved in the preparation of the Games of Future Igor Stoliarov declared the Games open.
“Today is a historical moment. Together with you we find ourselves on the stage of creation of a new international sports movement, we are the first. Students are our strength, our innovation, our driver which moves us forward”, – Igor Stoliarov said.
The format of the Games of Future erases the boundaries between classic sports disciplines and the digital ones. Thus, first the athletes compete on a football pitch, on a basketball court or on an ice hockey rink and then they sit at a game console and continue the battle in virtual reality. At the first games of the new generation one can watch life the tactical double-event (videogame + strike-ball VR), the automobile double-event (videogame Assetto Corsa + karting) and the unmanned aviation double-event (drone simulator and drone racing).
The demo-discipline in American football (flag-football and the sports simulator NFL “MADDEN 22”) will make for a curious challenge. It will take the form of an exhibition match so that one can evaluate its potential and how spectacular it is.
