2011 WU Update: Record of Participating Countries Broken

ERZURUM – Today, January 31^st, Day 5 at the 25^th Winter Universiade, the University Games in Erzurum, Turkey are almost half way. So far, the record of participating countries at a FISU Winter Universiade has been largely broken. As of today, 52 countries have been registered in the Athletes’ Village, while the previous record stood at 51 countries at the 22^nd Winter Universiade in Innsbruck, Austria.

It should be noted that at every new WU, the more exotic, non-traditional winter sport countries start sending athletes as these sports start to develop in their countries as well. Of course, Turkey is the textbook example, even hosting the Winter Games, but athletes from Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Kyrgyzstan and Venezuela – to name a few – start to participate in the FISU Winter Universiade.

The number of participants so far is 2,199. To break this record the number of 2,511 has to be passed, which was the record participation at the 23^rd Winter Universiade in Torino, Italy.

A spectator record a the the Ski Jumping competitions

In the meanwhile a spectator record has been registered as well. The Ski Jumping competitions at the WU in Erzurum draw huge crowds. The OC registered some 10,000 spectators at the Ski Jumping finals of the K125, despite the cold weather and the snowfall. Police even had to close the road that lies behind the landing arena to avoid traffic accidents as drivers would just stop to watch.

C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer

 More non-traditional winter sport countries start sending athletes to the WU