2017 SU Bidding Update: Evaluation Committee ends Inspection Visit in Brasilia

BRASILIA – A press conference ended the inspection visit of the International Federation of University Sports (FISU) inBrasilia (DF), candidate city to host the 2017 Summer Universiade.

Hisato Igarashi, chairman of theFISUEvaluation Committee, Luciano Cabral, president of the Brazilian Confederation of University Sports (CBDU), Rene Celio, Secretary of Sports of the Federal District Government (GDF) and Luiz Otavio Neves, Secretary of Tourism, received the press in the lobby of the hotel Royal Tulip.

For four days (from November 3^rd to 6^th), Hisato Igarashi (Japan), Marian Dymalski (Poland) and Marc Vanderplas (Belgium) visited sports facilities, hotel chains, restaurants, participated in panels on topics related to the application of Brasilia 2017 and were welcomed by officials of state and federal governments.

The effort is part of the final stage of the candidacy ofBrazilto host the Universiade, the third largest sporting event in the world that brings together thousands of young athletes every two years.

Hisato opened the press conference thanking for the hospitality of the members of the Bid Committee. “This survey is important to assess and monitor the city and the project application and bring this information to the FISU Committee who will vote and select the host for the Games. Brasilia has several facilities and other works will be built by 2014. It is a young city, the number of students is growing, and the desire to stage a Universiade is important to give hope and opportunity for these young people. We are pleased with what we saw”, the FISU EC member commented.

Luciano Cabral also said that, independent of the choice ofFISU, Brasilia and the professionals involved in the process of application has added new experiences. “There is already a legacy by those involved such as UNB, GDF and the volunteers. And hosting the Universiade inBrasilia,Brazil, is a chance to promote effectively the taste and knowledge about the university sport. It will provide a structure of education reform, bringing sport and education together as part of national culture. This is the main legacy, “he noted.

For the Secretary of Sport Celio René, the Universiade in Brasilia will also enable a transformation in the city. “Our application is consistent and we are ready to face this big challenge of making a Universiade.” Luiz Otavio, Secretary of Tourism, closed the inspection highlighting that in case of victory of Brasilia, the university community and visitors will be received in 2017 as if they were at home. “Hospitality is a characteristic of Brazil and Brasilia.”

In the November 29^th, inBrussels, theFISU Executive Committee will elect the host for the 2017 Summer Universiade.Brazil and Chinese Taipei are the candidate cities to stage the event.

(Source: Polyanna Padua, CBDU Media Officer)

Isato Igarashi