During the International University Sports Federation’s summer activity, the staff visited Switzerland’s Federal Office of Sports headquarters in Magglingen, including it’s brand new “Place des Mélèzes” building, before making the most of sporting infrastructures.
As announced, FISU’s Secretary General and CEO Eric Saintrond will step down on 1 December after more than 40 years spent developing university sports. He will be replaced by the current Director of Switzerland’s Federal Office of Sports (FOSPO), Matthias Remund. One important phase of the handover is of course getting to know the FISU staff – and vice-versa -, around 45 employees and consultants based at the headquarters in Lausanne.
As one of the first steps, FISU’s Staff Summer Activity was centered around Magglingen above beautiful Lake Biel in the heart of Switzerland. FISU President Leonz Eder, FISU Secretary General Eric Saintrond, FISU’s Directors and their colleagues were welcomed by Matthias Remund for a grand tour of the facilities, after an introduction speech explaining the functioning of elite and university sport in Switzerland.
Inside the impressive "Place des Mélèzes" building
After a short through FOSPO’s beautiful forests, the FISU staff was taken around the new “Place des Mélèzes” building, which was opened only last March and specialises in sport science and teaching. It’s cutting edge technologies and the passion of the people working there impressed everyone.
Testing the sports infrastructures
After talking so much about sport, the International University Sports Federation staff were keen to change and to try out several sports. Some “classic” ones, like badminton, tennis, football or beach volleyball, some somewhat rarer like pétanque and disc golf.
After breaking the ice in the meeting room and on the different courses and pitches, it was time to wrap up the day by breaking bread in FOSPO’s renowned restaurant. One thing is sure, the transition between the current and future CEO has started in the smoothest of ways.
Written by Thérèse Courvoisier, photos by FOSPO / Charlène Mamie
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