2011 SU Update: Volunteers at the Universiade are Four Times the Population in Iceland – The Universiade through the Eyes of an Icelandic Young Reporter

Some of the fantastic Shenzhen volunteers (Photo: C. Pierre/FISU)

SHENZHEN – It is rare to get the opportunity to experience such a big event, like the Universiade. Especially because there is no athlete competing from Iceland. But coming here as made me realize how small my country is. For example there are more volunteers here in Shenzhen for the Universiade, than the total population ofIceland. The volunteers number about 1.2 million but the population ofIceland is only 320,000.

But there are nations with fewer people thenIcelandwho haves representation here at the Universiade. For example Liechtenstein, with 36,000. So why aren’t there any athletes from Iceland?

Hard question to answer, but I think the reason is probably that nobody inIcelandknows about the Universiade. Even though this is the 26th Summer Universiade and there have been 25 Winter Universiades.

The Universiade are great for young athletes to take their first steps at big tournaments or games, and just see how it could be getting to the Olympics in the future. The motto for this Universiade is also very appropriate. The motto is “Start here.” 

Most athletes hold the Universiade in high esteem that they still come and compete here even after taking part at the World championships or at the Olympics. For example Nélson Évora, a triple jumper from Portugal who won the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics inBeijing, went to the 2009 Universiade inBelgradeand won the golden medal in triple jump there. After a second place at the 2009 IAAF World Championship inBerlinhe is now preparing for the 2011 IAAF World championship in Daegu later this month. But he is here again defending his title.

It is a great opportunity for young athletes to start at the Universiade. I look at this in the same way as a sports reporter, who has only worked for about three years. My goal is to go to the 2012 Olympic Games in Londonfor my TV station as a reporter. There is a very good chance. And if I go there, I go there with such good experience after coming here to Shenzhen for the Universiade. Not just because I got the chance to cover such a big event where I had to go through security at every point, but more so because I got to meet colleagues from different countries. This is such a adventure, and I am going to enjoy it while it last.

(Source: Thorkell Gunnar Sigurbjornsson, AIP Young Reporter/Iceland)