2021 CIS Games

The 2021 CIS Games (I игры стран СНГ 2021, I нче БДБ илләре уеннары) was the inaugural edition of the CIS Games. It took place from 4 to 11 September 2021 in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, Russia and included athletes from all nine member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The slogan of the Games is "Our Strength Lies in the Commonwealth!" (В Содружестве наша сила!)

Development and preparation
The Games were officially introduced on 27 June 2019, after an initiative of the Ministry of Sport of Russia was passed to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, who accepted it. Initially, the Games were due to take place from 20 to 27 September 2020, but they were finally postponed to next year after a series of postponements due to complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Business Online, in 2020 the Games' expenses would have been around 500 million rubles, 80% of which would have been covered by the Federal Center.

On 12 July 2021, in an online meeting of leaders of sport ministries it was announced, that around 2,000 athletes, for the most part aged between 14 and 23, and 600 officials will participate at the Games. Overall, 184 set of medals will be awarded and 11 venues will be used, with the main venue being the Universiade Village, which was used during the 2013 Summer Universiade. On 28 July 2021, Rustam Minnikhanov, President of Tatarstan, headed a session of the Republican Organization Committee. There it was announced, that about 1,500 athletes will participate.

According to a session on 6 August 2021, every participating team should include one COVID specialist.

Festivals and forums
A cultural festival took place in the Village. For the participants there was a "launch zone", which included photo locations, master classes, relax zones and multimedia zones, ending in concerts in the evening. Besides, a sports forum called "Russia – Country of Sports" took place during the Games.

Ceremony
The opening ceremony took place in the Universiade Village, which was also used as a housing complex for the participants.

Sports
There was a total of 15 sport events. Junior (under 23) athletes participated in most events, except for Muay Thai (men and women), futsal (only men) and kurash (men and girls).

Common Sports (44) Combat Sports (137)
 * Badminton pictogram.svg Badminton (6)
 * 3x3 basketball pictogram.svg 3x3 basketball (2)
 * DanceSport pictogram.svg Dancesport (4)
 * Futsal pictogram.svg Futsal (1)
 * Gymnastics (rhythmic) pictogram.svg Rhythmic gymnastics (6)
 * Shooting pictogram.svg Shooting (18)
 * Table tennis pictogram.svg Table tennis (7)
 * Boxing pictogram.svg Boxing (26)
 * Belt wrestling pictogram.svg Belt wrestling (14)
 * Judo pictogram.svg Judo (15)
 * Kurash pictogram.svg Kurash (10)
 * Karate pictogram.svg Karate (12)
 * Muay Thai pictogram.svg Muay Thai (16)
 * Sambo pictogram.svg Sambo (14)
 * Wrestling pictogram.svg Wrestling (30)

Logo and mascot
The Games' official logo was the firebird (жар-птица), a common Slavic fairytale character which is also common in other cultures. The official mascot was а bars, a (snow) leopard. The firebird symbolizes freedom, speed, height, as it is skyrocketing skyward. It is also a symbol of hospitality and the diverse cultures living in the CIS territory. Each feather is coloured according to the flags of the CIS nations. The design of the mascot was created by Ibragim Durdiev from Moscow. The snow leopard has been the symbol of the Volga Bulgars, who were also known as the "Bars tribe" or "barsils". For them, the bars was a deity of fertility and the defence of children. It should symbolize energy, agility, strength and the will to win, as well as hospitality and fortune.

Broadcasting
A live broadcasting via internet was available during the Games.