Shenzhen – At the second day of the FISU Executive Committee the future Universiade OCs presented their Progress Reports.
2011 Summer Universiade Shenzhen
The meeting started with the reports of the CSU, CTI and CMI. All chairs of these committees, Mr. Ralethe, Mr. Douvis and Dr. Rink agreed that the Shenzhen OC is providing top-notch facilities for the 26th Summer Universiade.
After the FISU internal reports, the Shenzhen OC represented its 7th Progress Report.
The OC started its presentation with a promotional video. Huang Guoqiang, Executive Deputy Director General of the Executive Office of the Shenzhen OC, presented the report. ‘2010 is a ‘Dash Year’ for the Games. Shenzhen, with full speed, is moving on its way to 2011 and the Universiade preparation is entering the implementation stage: the guiding concept of ‘Organizing the Games, Developing the City, New Universiade, New Shenzhen’ is better understood’, Mr. Guoqiang told the EC members. ‘The working principles of ‘Venue-based, Event-centered, and Locally-guaranteed’ have been gradually implemented. The newly-built and renovated projects are under smooth progress. Nine competition areas have been formed, venues and events management teams are being assembled. The competition schedule and events set-up are being further improved. The information Technology and Communication system for the Games have obtained staged achievements. Volunteer recruitment has been launched, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies teams have been appointed. The Torch Relay arrangement has initially been completed and the preparation work for the 8th WUC Archery this September, which will be used as a test event, is moving forward as planned. With the Universiade drawing near, the whole city is on the move. Immediately after the Spring Festival, the city sent a delegation of over 70 department directors to Shanghai, Tianjin and Beijing, studying and learning from the experiences of Expo 2010 Shanghai and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. In February, the OC for the Shenzhen Universiade was founded. The Games preparation work is strongly backed up by the whole country and the government departments at different levels. People of all walks of life are working diligently and getting ready for the Games. And with the slogan ‘I’m Here’, the volunteers are in action as the Games are approaching.’
‘Four years ago, Shenzhen was granted an opportunity. At the moment, a solemn commitment of hosting a ‘More Spectacular, More Successful and More Impressinve’ Universiade was made’, Liang Daoxing, Vice-President of the Executive Board and Director-General of the Executive Office of the OC noted in the Porgress Report. ‘Since then, we have been working diligently and we are confident in fulfilling our promise and presenting the world a wonderful Universiade. This is our responsibility, and above all our glory! Let’s looking forward to the upcoming Games!’
2011 Winter Universiade – Erzurum
After the CSU chaired by Kairis Ulp presented its report, the Erzurum OC presented its Progress Report. Bekir Korkmaz, the General-Coordinator of the Erzurum Universiade, first presented a promotional video regarding the 2011 WU. He then gave an update of the preparations.
The CSU for WU
All participants will travel to Ankara or Istanbul on their own costs. From there, the travel costs from Ankara/Istanbul to Erzurum will be covered by the OC. Visa payments are exempted for all participants of the 2011 WU. Participants who need a visa can get it from the Turkish Embassies or at the customs when they arrive. Transportation of Biathlon rifles and ammunition will be safely organized by the OC Security Department. Special forms will be handed in advance to all delegations before they have entered Turkey. The GMS will be operated in collaboration with Turk Telecom’s IT company INNOVA and IT company EvMAS. The Turkish national television TRT has been decided as Host Broadcaster for the WU. The decision in selecting the Timing & Scoring Systems will be made in 3 weeks’ time. The tendering process has already been launched. Around 3,000 people have been trained as volunteers. A Volunteers Management Centre and Volunteers Communication Centre will be established. Currently there are 122 people working in the OC (62 full-time employees). 30 persons are residents of Erzurum, 32 people of Ankara and 60 persons of other government institutions. Erzurum is on the second zone of the three main zones of danger or risk in terms of being exposed to earthquakes. However, regarding safety, based on the state law (2007) all constructions and buildings are required to be resistant to an earthquake. Agreements with three hotels for the FISU Family were signed. To ensure that Erzurum WU is presented in local, national and international media, the media service will be carried out through news, bulletins and website promotion. The preparation of the first ‘Universiade Book’ has started as well and the Media Guide is being edited. The ski lifts construction on Palandoken Mountain was completed, the lifts in Konkli are completed for 90 %. All the courses constructions in Kandilli and Konakli will be ready for September.
The delegation of Maribor
2013 Winter Universiade – Maribor
WU Director Milan Augustin gave an internal update regarding the newly formed Organizing Committee and the organizational chart.
‘Winter Sport is our national sport’, Tone Vogrinec, the President of the OC said to the EC members. W will do our best to prepare the games in the same level as all the Ski world cups in the past.’ During the past winter period which, despite the world crisis, proved to be very successful for Slovenian winter sport, we made progress in the preparation of the needed facilities. As the backbone of the mountain infrastructure, the new gondola cable car was built and started the team that stood behind the construction, which was done in record time of 105 days, to ensure normal operation of our winter resort. The OC proposed same changes in venues. Almost all ski venues are ready, reflecting the vast experience in ski competitions. For figure skating and short track two new ice rinks will be built, one permanent and one temporary. For ice hockey, one hall is existing, a second permanent one will built as well as a temporary one for training. Curling will be played in a multifunctional hall.
2013 Summer Universiade – Kazan
SU Director Marc Vandenplas gave an internal update regarding the host city for the 27th SU in Kazan. CTI SU Chair Stavros Douvis applauded the enormous progress of the construction site of the venues and the Athletes’ Village.
Next the delegates of the OC of Kazan presented their 3rd Progress report. After Oleg Matytsin confirmed the important involvement of the Russian NUSF in the preparations of the Games, while Marat Bariev. Minster of Sport, Youth & Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan and Vladimir Leonov, the Chief Executive of the OC gave a update of the work done so far. A serious administrative and infrastructural work has been recently done in the organization of the 27th Summer Universiade. The OC is actively developing the sport infrastructure: the construction of 17 Universiade sport venues was already finished and by the end of August another 7 venues will be ready. The construction of the largest projects – the Rowing Centre, the Aquatic Sports Palace and the Football Stadium with a capacity of 45,000 seats – continues. These venues are to open in 2011/2012. The complex of the Universiade Village is a special project and the OC pays great attention to it. This August the first part of 200,000 m² will welcome its first inhabitants, but in general all the works will finish in 2012. Reconstruction and renovation of the existing sport venues have commenced and are planned to be finished in 2012. The development of the city infrastructures continues, first of all the transport infrastructure and Kazan International Airport, the construction of telecommunication networks and the hotel sector. The Executive Committee of the Universiade is taking active measures to promote the SU – as they were present at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 73rd AIPS Congress and other events outside Russia – to develop the marketing program, the master plan and the operational budget, to create the sport program and the test events program, to set the list of sport managers, to train volunteers and organize PR-campaigns.
2015 Universiade Winter Universiade – Granada
SG/CEO Eric Saintrond gave an internal update of the progress.
2015 Summer Universiade Gwangju
Mr. Bergh informed about the FISU/UNESCO/Gwangju joint project. Then, after showing a promotional video the delegates presented their first Progress Report. A plan to make the best use of existing sports facilities, such as main and affiliated stadiums, was drawn up, and the design of a hi-tech sports operation systems (GMS) is under way. 42 venues will be used. In particular, the UNESCO Programs and Sports Operation Systems will be the centerpiece to raise the value of FISU and the Universiade. They will remain as a great cultural legacy for Gwangju and the world at large. The OC, established in early 2010, is composed of some 160 committee members and 100 office staff. The citizens of Gwangju are striving to make 2015 an important turning point. Residents are enthusiastically participating in the Universiade English School were volunteers will be trained. To enhance operational capabilities in international competition, Gwangju Metropolitan City is also planning to host a number of international sporting events, such as the 17th Women’s Junior Handball Championship, the 2010 IITF Para-Table Tennis World Championship and the 2012 WUC Badminton. In its report, the OC proposed an overall schedule for hosting the Games.
The EC approved the seven proposed optional sports: badminton, taekwondo, golf, handball, archery, shooting and rowing.
The EC also endorsed the NUSF of the United Arab Emirates to host a World University Cup of Football in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Christian Pierre, Press Officer
Mr. Ralethe, CSU Chair
Mr. Douvis & Mr. Buchel
Dr. Rink, Chair CMI
Bekir Korkmas (Erzurum)
Mr. Vandenplas, Mr. Douvis & Mr. Buchel
The Kazan delegation
Song Writing Contest
In the evening the FISU Executive Committee members were invited to attend the Awarding Ceremony for the Second Universiade Song-Writing Contest. FISU President Killian awarded a prize to one of the composers. Famous Chinese singer Li Yunchun sang the ‘Volunteer Song’ ‘I’m Here’. The ceremony was broadcast all across China on Shenzhen Satellite TV.
Press Conference
FISU SG/CEO Saintrond & President Killian
At noon FISU staged a Press Conference where FISU President Killian and Secretary-General/CEO Saintrond addressed the domestic and international press. They commented on their visit and the meeting of the Supervision Committee. ‘We are extremely pleased with what we saw’, Mr. Killian said to the attending media. ‘I truly believe that when you look at your venues, you’ve exceeded what we saw on TV in 2008 during the Beijing Olympics.’
‘By inviting student-athletes to your city, you invite the future leaders. In ten or twenty years those people will be back as tourists of businessmen’, Mr. Saintrond said. ‘This is a wonderful opportunity to promote the brand of Shenzhen. But also your legacy for your citizens will be substantial: new venues, new infrastructures and a new university campus.’
(Photos: C. Pierre)