Applications opened in August last year, with organisers seeking 11,000 individuals across 34 different functional areas to assist with the running of the FISU Games.

Yekaterinburg 2023 general director Alexander Chernov is pleased with the start of the volunteer programme, while recognising that more will be needed.

"Volunteer training is going well," Chernov said, as reported by Russian state news agency TASS.

"There aren’t enough of them yet.

"We need 11,000 volunteers, 8,000 of them, I’m sure, will come from here [Yekaterinburg], 3,000 will come from all over the country, and a few hundred more will come to Russia from different countries."

The Organising Committee is hosting officials from FISU including vice-president Marian Dymalski who are inspecting progress made on venues for the Yekaterinburg 2023 FISU Games.

Summer World University Games deputy director Jing Zhao, education and development director Lilia Barieva and Summer Games event manager Brian Carrer have also travelled to the Russian city.

The Organising Committee in Yekaterinburg presented a report on preparations for next year's Games, while officials from the international body toured the Ural Federal University building which is set to stage its World Conference in 2023.

Chernov is satisfied with the developments so far.

"This is a very crucial inspection for us," Chernov said.

"We can’t wait to share the progress we’ve made since their last visit with FISU.

"We are confident in all aspects of the preparations, from the growing Village, the heart of the future competition, to the directorate that is expanding in number and experience.

"We also intend to continue the discussion with our colleagues regarding epidemiological safety so that athletes can focus on achieving victories, and so our Games happen.

"I invite you all to visit them."

The Chengdu 2021 FISU Games have been delayed to June 26 until July 7 this year because of COVID-19 restrictions, but Chernov is confident that the pandemic will not affect the event in Yekaterinburg, describing the risk of cancellation as "absent".

"I have no doubt that in August 2023, during the celebration of the 300th anniversary of our beloved Yekaterinburg, the Universiade will definitely take place," he said, as reported by TASS.

More than 10,000 athletes are expected to compete at next year's Yekaterinburg 2023 FISU Games, which are scheduled for August 8 to 19.

Russia last staged the summer edition of the multi-sport event in Kazan in 2013, while it also hosted the Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk in 2019.