Marathon runners commemorate the International AIDS Memorial Day in Kazan. Copyright: Realnoe Vremya
Marathon runners commemorate the International AIDS Memorial Day in Kazan. Copyright: Realnoe Vremya
Marathon runners commemorate the International AIDS Memorial Day in Kazan. Copyright: Realnoe Vremya
Sergei Pospelov, Head of Rosmolodezh (Russian Youth Affairs Agency), Gennady Onishchenko, Assistant to the Russian Prime Minister, Anna Popova, Head of Rospotrebnadzor. Copyright: Realnoe Vremya
The Kazan Marathon, which commemorates the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, took place on 15 May in Tatarstan, Russian Federation. Under the slogan “Test yourself!”, more than 9000 people had the opportunity to test their endurance and learn about their HIV status.
With support from the Government of Tatarstan, the Republican AIDS Centre and the New Century nongovernmental organization, runners accessed voluntary, rapid HIV testing at the marathon site.
For the first time in the Russian Federation, a large-scale sporting event was dedicated to HIV.
“The Kazan Marathon is living proof that if people living with HIV know their status, access quality HIV treatment and take care of their health, they can reach any milestone in life and in sport.”—Vera Brezhneva, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador

Update

Marathon runners commemorate International AIDS Candlelight Memorial in Kazan, Russian Federation

16 May 2016

The Kazan Marathon, which commemorates the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, took place on 15 May in Tatarstan, Russian Federation. Under the slogan “Test yourself!”, more than 9000 people had the opportunity to test their endurance and learn about their HIV status.

With support from the Government of Tatarstan, the Republican AIDS Centre and the New Century nongovernmental organization, runners accessed voluntary, rapid HIV testing at the marathon site.

For the first time in the Russian Federation, a large-scale sporting event was dedicated to HIV. The President of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, was tested for HIV and called on all the marathon participants to follow his example. Gennady Onishchenko, Assistant to the Russian Prime Minister, Anna Popova, Head of Rospotrebnadzor, Sergey Kraevoi, Deputy Minister of Health, and Sergey Pospelov, Head of Rosmolodezh, came to Kazan from Moscow to support the event.

UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Vera Brezhneva ran 3 kilometres of the marathon route together with other participants, including more than 50 people living with HIV. 

Quotes

“Today we remember those who have passed away due to AIDS-related illnesses. To date, over one million people in the Russian Federation have been diagnosed with HIV. Together we must ensure they can live normal lives.”

Gennady Onishchenko, Assistant to the Russian Prime Minister

“I am grateful to the President of Tatarstan for his support to make the Kazan Marathon an annual event. Like a marathon, we cannot end AIDS with one step—this is a long road we have ahead of us, but we will get there by running together."

Anna Popova, Head of Rospotrebndzor

“HIV is no longer a death sentence. Today, people living with HIV can live a full and healthy life, if we diagnosed HIV early. But the first step is to get tested for HIV and to know your status.”

Sergey Kraevoi, Deputy Minister of Health

“The Kazan Marathon is living proof that if people living with HIV know their status, access quality HIV treatment and take care of their health, they can reach any milestone in life and in sport.”

Vera Brezhneva, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador

“The Kazan Marathon is shining example of the power of partnership between government, businesses, nongovernmental organizations, the sports community and people living with HIV in Tatarstan.”

Andrey Zlobin, one of the marathon’s organizers

“Tatarstan has always been a leader among Russian regions, and is at the forefront of the HIV response. The Kazan Marathon is the start of the Fast-Track response to ending AIDS in the city of Kazan.”

Vinay Saldanha, UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Region/country

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