SHENZHEN – We have a little bit more time for Mark Knopfler to say “Goodnight, now it’s time, to go home” (Sultans of Swing) for 2011 Shenzhen Universiade. China is on the top of the medal table, we are having great fun in each stadium, and games are real fun.
Honestly, I got used to the city, to people and to culture right now. It’s been nine days since I am here, and still exploring. But there is still one thing I can’t stand: Weather. Actually two; weather and humidity.
Heat is absolutely irritating, and humidity is making it worse in Shenzhen. After just 2 minutes of walk, you can just turn back to your home or hotel to take a shower.
Well yeah, we do have air-conditioners in cars, in indoor places, but what about the athletes?
“It was horrible, I wanted to do better, but my body couldn’t react as I wanted because of the humidity” said Merve Yıldız from Turkey, while explaining what happened in yesterday’s race. “I tried to force myself, tried so hard but from beginning to the end, my lungs didn’t even work.”
Runners, football players, high jumpers… Every single athlete who competes in an outdoor event has to get more respect then he/she does compared to indoor athletes. While it is impossible to walk at noon, how can a football player run for a through ball? It’s not fair if you charge the quailty of the outdoor games without thinking about the weather.
These guys and girls are not just competing afgainst each other, they are also competing against the sun.
(Source: Ozan Can Sülüm, FISU-AIPS Young Reporter/Turkey – Photo: C. Pierre/FISU)
Related News
FISU Member Associations visit Krasnoyarsk to check out Winter Universiade 2019 preparations
