Veterans tested the hydraulic system of the cable-stayed roof of Volgograd Arena

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On May 13, veterans of the Great Patriotic War and the Battle of Stalingrad tested the hydraulic lifting system of the cable-stayed roof of the 45,000-seat Volgograd Arena which is being built by JSC Stroytransgaz for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.

Veterans were honoured on the construction site of Volgograd Arena: specialists of JSC Stroytransgaz congratulated 11 war veterans on the 72nd anniversary of the Victory. Participants of the event are more than 90 years old. Their chests are decorated with military orders and medals for battle merit and personal exploits, but despite the venerable age and difficult life, they retained vivacity, martial spirit and a keen interest in how the city develops.

“Veterans saw our city destroyed, they defended and restored it. Now they want Volgograd to be worthy of the title of the city-hero. We were here exactly one year ago, now the stadium has a completely new look – it is almost ready. I cannot believe that this is the creation of human hands. We are proud that such a unique and huge facility is being built here at the foot of the Mamaev Kurgan, on the bank of the Volga,” said Alexander Strukov, Chairman of the Volgograd City Council of the Great Patriotic War, Labour, Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agency Veterans, on behalf of all veterans.

“The lifting of the cable-stayed roof system will begin in the near future and this, in some way, will be the crown of our great work,” said Construction Director Sergey Kamin. “This is the first time when we build such a huge stadium with as cable-stayed roof in Russia, so we asked the leading international subject matter experts to join the project. The cover above the stands is unique. Its supporting elements are not massive steel structures, as compared with the most football arenas, but strong steel ropes.”

The representative of the French company Freyssinet, the cable-stayed roof system erection supervisor Mark Gonthier, showed veterans how the pumps and jacks would perform a “high lift”. The right to press the jack start button was given to the honoured Volgograd veterans – an honourable resident of Volgograd and participant of the Battle of Stalingrad Evgeny Rogov and holder of five Orders of the Red Star Nikolay Tereshchenko. Mark Gonthier noted: “We have come from France, but I want to say thank you to all the veterans. All my colleagues and I are now in front of you only thanks to you.”

In the headquarters of the construction site, veterans were able to communicate and share their impressions of the visit to the facility. "The stadium is not only a sport-oriented object, it is important for patriotic education of the future generation,” assured Yevgeny Rogov. “It is young people who will go to watch football matches, and such stadium will make them feel proud of Russia.”

“We understand very well how difficult it is to build such a unique huge facility in the centre of the city and not to create nuisance for urban residents around the construction site. This arduous task is performed in the most worthy manner,” stressed Alexander Strukov. “I’ve been very proud to show our stadium to a German delegation of 100 people. It looks great from the Volga. We are all proud that Russia can build such facilities.”

At the end of the event, the veterans were presented with flowers and memorable gifts – a wall clock with a three-dimensional image of the Volgograd Arena facade and a football.