Shenzhen is ready for a unique spectacle

Shenzhen is ready for a unique spectacle

by Leonz Eder, FISU EC Member and Chairman of the FISU International Press Committee

FISU, the International University Sports Federation and its membership, more than 140 countries and regions, are excited to visit Shenzhen, host city of the 26th Summer Universiade. With more than 10’000 athletes and officials the size of the Universiade will be the largest ever in the history of FISU. The athletes will compete for 306 gold medals in 24 disciplines, another new record. In addition to the mandatory disciplines (athletics, basketball, fencing, football, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, diving, water polo, tennis, volleyball, judo and table tennis) the Shenzhen OC offers 11 optional sports (badminton sport-shooting, sailing, cycling, golf, chess, beach volleyball, archery, aerobics, taekwondo, weightlifting) which make the program of the games the biggest ever.

Shenzhen is one of the most important cities in China and is considered to be an economic powerhouse and tourist attraction. The city has made major investments to offer top-level infrastructure. Some of them show extraordinary, futuristic architecture. The OC of the 26th Universiade from August 12th – 23rd will use more than 60 sport venues and promises an exciting and pleasant stay for all participants.

51 countries participated at the Head of Delegations meeting last April. The expectations are very high, knowing that the sports program is very intense. After the 2011 Universiade in Beijing and the 2009 Winter Universiade in Harbin, China offers the 3rd Universiade as organizer, but for most of the participants the Shenzhen Universiade will be the first visit in China. They are looking forward to this adventure.

Besides of the sport program two important events are included in the Shenzhen Universiade. Traditionally the FISU Conference will attract a lot of professors, lecturers and students. The main topic is “University Sport: From Culture of the ‘How’ to Culture of the ‘Why’. The Future Starts Here.” The Conference will take place from August 13th to 16th at the Shenzhen University (SZU). For the first time in the history of FISU, a Seminar for Young Sports Journalists will be organized during the Universiade. It aims to include 19 to 25 years old journalist’s resp. students in sports journalism from the five continents right into the games for 14 days. They will be joined by 20 Chinese colleagues selected by the Shenzhen OC and 30 international colleagues selected by AIPS. FISU nominated 10 Young Sport Journalists on the basis of performance and promise.

I am convinced that the Shenzhen Organizing Committee, strongly supported by the Federation of University Sports China (FUSC) and with the help of FISU managed the huge challenges of such a prestigious project. They have undertaken enormous efforts to be ready for the Universiade, not only regarding venues, accommodation, catering, security, transportation, protocol issues but also providing all the necessary information to the participants and recruiting thousands of volunteers. For such a big event both the organizers and the participants must be ready to be flexible because many unforeseen situations may occur. A special challenge is always the different way of decision making processes in different cultures. If the three partners of the Universiades, the OC in Shenzhen, the officials and staff from FISU as well as the participating delegations continue to be open minded and solution oriented the Universiade will be a great success. Shenzhen, FISU and the participants are ready for a unique spectacle which will begin with a exciting Opening Ceremony on August 12.

Comment
Murat ASLAN - TUSF International Relations
I can just say that our expectation about the event is very positive.
We think it will be very successful organization and all participants will be satisfied by every aspects of the event, and return back to their home with good memories from China.