2017 SU Update: Taipei signs contract as host of 2017 Summer Universiade

Hosting contract signing ceremony participants

Taipei – It’s official. On the afternoon of March 25, the 11th FISU Forum in Taipei City played host to the 2017 Universiade Hosting Contract Signing Ceremony, which means Taipei is officially the host of the 29th Summer University Games, which will take place in August of 2017.

“In the summer of 2017, we can all join here in Taipei City,” declared Dr. Hau Lung-Bin, the Mayor of Taipei City, to the crowd of delegates, representing over 60 countries at the FISU Forum.

Dr. Hau was one of three speakers at the ceremony, with FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien and President of Chinese Taipei Ma Ying-Jeou also delivering statements.

“You did it,” Mr. Gallien told the delegation from Chinese Taipei. “Again and again you have been a candidate and I know that to do this you have to be courageous, you have to work a lot…. [In 2017] I will be there to applaud you.”

Mr. Ma, who was Mayor of Taipei City from 1998-2006 before being elected President, discussed how important sport is to the city. During his time as Mayor, he opened 80 swimming pools and brought athletic facilities to several universities and now, with the continued efforts of Mr. Hau, over 1.2 million people can take part in sports in Taipei City every year.

Mr. Ma was very excited for the Universiade to come to Chinese Taipei. “Finally we have this chance,” the President said. “Let’s work together to make this the best Universiade ever.” He also discussed what a great opportunity hosting the Universiade will be for Chinese Taipei. “It will be an exciting event for all people in Chinese Taipei,” he said. “I assure you we will have full support from the government to make this event a great success.”

After the speeches, the contracts were signed and Taipei was officially the host of the 29th Summer Universiade.

Currently the Summer Universiade is scheduled to take place Aug. 19-30, 2017. The FISU Forum, which Taipei City is currently hosting, will officially start with the opening ceremonies March 26 at 9 a.m., however meetings began on the morning of March 25. The 11th FISU forum runs until March 31.

(Source: Justin Fauteux, Students Committee member, FISU young reporter)

President of Taiwan Ma Ying-Jeou