FISU visits Lucerne to discuss legacy of Lucerne 2021 Winter Universiade

On 14 December 2021, FISU Acting President Leonz Eder, FISU Secretary General-CEO, Eric Saintrond, and FISU Games Winter Director, Milan Augustin met with representatives of the Organising Committee, local authorities Mr. Guido Graf, President of the OC, Niklaus Bleiker, Vice President of the OC, Urs Hunkeler, Managing Director  of  the OC, Stephan  Vollenweider, Finance Director of the OC, Beat Hensler, Secretary General of the OC as well as Mike Kurt, President of the Swiss University Sports Federation. The reason of the FISU visit was to share valuable experience within FISU – OC collaboration for past six years and exchange several ideas for the future of this nice student athlete’s project.

“After everything we have been through – not only in the last few weeks since the cancelation, but also since the beginning of our cooperation six years ago –, it was important for us to take the time to meet the leadership of the Organising Committee and discuss our future collaborations as well as the implementation of the Lucerne 2021 Legacy programmes. I am glad to see that the spirit of Swiss University Sports will live on stronger than before, despite the fact that the Lucerne 2021 Winter Universiade could not take place,” says Leonz Eder, FISU Acting President.

The 30^th winter edition of the FISU World University Games was supposed to take place in Lucerne on 11-21 December 2021, but due to the travel restrictions, the event had to be cancelled a week before it was scheduled to take place.

“Today, within the pandemic environment, we need the help of everyone to keep all sport events alive for large sports family not only in student sports community but for all sports around the world. The unexpected cancellation of the Winter Universiade in Lucerne has made all of us very sad but we must look ahead and focus on the future events. We are not stopping the collaboration with our Lucerne friends because the knowledge is there and we hope that sooner or later the FISU World University Games will again be organised in Switzerland,” said Eric Saintrond, FISU Secretary General-CEO.

During the day, the Swiss National University Sports Federation under leadership of President Mike Kurt at the house of Swiss University Sports in Lucerne Universiade Park welcomed FISU and OC representatives to experience small moments of how things could have been during these days of the student festival and sharing the effort and enthusiasm of many involved people from Swiss University Sports.

“Despite the fact that the Winter Universiade has been cancelled, Lucerne 2021 Legacy projects will go on. Those who believed in us will acknowledge the six years of hard work in preparing the largest multi-sport event for student athletes. Swiss University Sports is very much inspired by sports development that will be extended in every possible occasion,” said Mike Kurt , President of Swiss University Sports.

Despite the difficult times, the world of university sports remains strong and united with Organising Committees for future FISU Games, athletes, member associations and officials all sharing their love and support to Lucerne 2021 and the global university sports community.

In support to the athletes whose dreams of participating to the Lucerne 2021 Winter Universiade were shattered, FISU launched a Social Media campaign to share awareness and support for all those who trained hard to show their best during this year’s winter edition of the FISU Games. You can view the video on our Instagram and TikTok pages. #FISUwithAthletes