Another step in the candidature of Chungcheong Megacity, Republic of Korea, was taken this past week in its bid to host the 2027 FISU World University Games Summer as FISU’s Summer Games team visited for an inspection visit.

The Chungcheong Megacity area, a project involving the cities of Sejong and Daejeon as well as the provinces of Chungnam and Chungbuk, is home to 20% of Korea’s student population. With this visit, the FISU team was able to experience this important university region while seeing potential venues, discussing candidate plans, and providing feedback on the bid.

“I am very happy to come back to Korea, following my nice experience in Gwangju 2015,” said Jing Zhao, Director FISU Games Summer. “This technical evaluation visit has shown us the passion of the region to welcome the FISU Games and we were quite impressed by the organisation as well as the hospitality.”

Included in the visit was the viewing of 23 potential competition venues and sites (including 19 existing venues), three potential locations for FISU Games villages, and the venue being considered for the opening ceremony. A presentation of the games concept was also delivered by the Chungcheong Megacity 2027 Bid Committee early in the week.

“I have experienced the Gwangju 2015 Universiade, we worked hard back then and will be working hard this time too, to successfully host and operate the Chungcheong Megacity 2027 FISU World University Games,” said Mr Yoon-suk Kim, Secretary General of Chungcheong Megacity 2027 Bid Committee.

The state of North Carolina in the United States is the other candidate bidding to host the 2027 FISU Games. The Triangle Region of Raleigh-Durham-Cary-Chapel Hill-Greensboro is the central area known as North Carolina’s University Hub and would play host to the Games should their bid be successful.

The host for the 2027 FISU Games will be determined and announced during FISU’s Executive Committee meeting in Brussels this November.

Written by Doug McLean