Around 1,500 athletes from nine CIS countries - Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - are set to compete across 16 sports, with 184 medals up for grabs.

Due to the Olympic Games also taking place this summer, Minister of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan Vladimir Leonov confirmed athletes would be limited to 23 years of age.

"We have introduced a limit to 23 years, that is, juniors will come to us," said Leonov, as reported by Realnoe Vremya. 

Leonov explained more than 1000 volunteers will work across the Games, with around 500 judges and 130 media representatives. 

The competitions will be held at 11 Kazan sports facilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the Games - initially scheduled for August 20 to 27 2020 - to be postponed.

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin had mooted the possibility of moving the Games to Belarus, but the Games of the CIS Countries are now finally set to get underway in Kazan, which hosted the 2013 Summer Universiade, with spectators in attendance, though certain restrictions will be in place.

"Preliminarily, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the attendance of facilities will be limited to 50 per cent of the maximum capacity of the stands," explained Leonov.

"A PCR test and a certificate of vaccination will not be required. 

"However, it will be necessary to use masks."

The Games begin tomorrow with the Opening Ceremony and run until September 11.