2013 WU Update: FISU Seminar for Maribor OC & Press Conference

MARIBOR – On October 13^th, 2011, it was the last day of a two day FISU seminar in Maribor, the hosting city of the 26^th Winter Universiade from January 30^th to February 9^th, 2013. The seminar was started with a welcome speech by theFISU Secretary-General/CEO Eric SAINTROND. In addition, today’s seminar included presentations from Dusan HAMAR (FISU Vice-Chair of the International Medical Committee) as well as the Chief Executive of Event planning group (EPG) Andrew SHARP (AUS). He made an overview of the event (project) management process, venue installation management, layout and visual identity of sport venues. More importantly, knowledge and experiences from all the speakers were shared with the Maribor OC.

One of the sessions was led by the Maribor OC.The Director of Sports Srecko MEDVEN (SLO) and 2013 WU CEO Srecko VILAR (SLO) made an overview of the current situation of the Maribor OC regarding sport and non-sport issues as well as OC structure.

Today’s seminar covered the following aspects;

FISU side

• Sport management & command centers;

• Duties of CTI, ISF TD, Competition managers & decision protocol;

• Security;

• Doping and medical services during the Universiade – general frame;

• FISU staff involvement in the Universiade;

• Legacy program;

• FISU conference & education services;

• Project management process;

• Venue installation management, layout & visibility of sport venues.

 Maribor OC side

• Current situation of Maribor OC – sport and non sport venues, preparations & test events.

Some of the presentations included FISU videos in terms of the main operation center, info centers, weather forecast, security, medical and doping services, legacy, venue installation management and visual identity guide which provided more in detail explanation of the activities in different areas for the operations of the WU.

The two-day seminar was an excellent opportunity to make a first and important contact among key persons between the Maribor OC and the FISU Staff. Further collaborations in the fields of sport management, Athletes’ Village, protocol, media, TV services, security, education events and accreditation are important key areas that should be well prepared and managed before and during the WU. Otherwise, we have to remember the following simple sentence mentioned by the FISU Winter CT Chair Roger ROTH (SUI): “We are a team”

Press Conference

In hotel Piramida in Maribor a press conference was held during the FISU seminar, 15 months prior to the Maribor Winter Universiade. The press conference was attended by FISU Secretary-General/CEO Eric SAINTROND, the Winter CTI Chair Roger ROTH, the Director of WU Milan AUGUSTIN, OC President Tone VOGRINEC, 2013 WU CEO Srecko VILAR and WU Sports Director Srecko MEDVEN who are the main key persons inFISUand Maribor OC.

Eric SAINTROND stressed the important fact that it is now necessary to start building more sport facilities. He also addressed the importance of the legacy aspect. It is not only for the competitions but also providing winter sport facilities to the local people after the WU. It is certainly a developmental opportunity that will be able to make an excellent sport environment in the future.

A next meeting will be organized this November between FISU and Maribor OC to discuss about the progress process and further preparations.

(Source: Jiho KIM, WU Sport Assistant)

 Dusan Hamar

Eric Saintrond