BRICS Games to have participants from 97 countries - Russian deputy PM

MOSCOW. May 31 (Interfax) - More than 4,000 foreign participants from 97 countries are expected to participate in the BRICS Games, which will be held in Kazan on June 12-23, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said after the meeting of the BRICS Games Organizing Committee.

"The Russian Federation chairs BRICS in 2024, and this site has priority importance to our country under the current conditions. The BRICS Games, held on the orders of President Vladimir Putin, are an important component of our country's BRICS chairmanship plan, 97 countries have already confirmed participation in them," Chernyshenko was quoted by his office as saying on Friday.

Russian Deputy Sports Minister Alexei Morozov, for his part, said some 5,000 participants, including more than 4,000 participants from other countries, are expended to participate in the competitions.

"The Russian Sports Ministry has formed the final sports program with regard for the received applications on the orders of the Organizing Committee. It comprises 27 sports," Morozov was quoted by his office as saying in a report.