2015 WU Update: Work Session in Granada

GRANADA – FISU Secretary-General/CEO Eric Saintrond together with WU Director Milan Augustin were in Granada for a work meeting with the Organizing Committee of the 2015 Winter Universiade.

The work session was attended by the CEO of the event, Aurelio Urena; the city’s mayor, José Torres Hurtado; government delegate of the Board, María José Sánchez; the chairman of the council, Sebastian Perez and the rector of the University, Francisco Lopez Lodeiro.

During the meeting the new management team chaired by Aurelio Urena has been presented to the FISU delegates and an analysis of the evolution of the preparations so far was made.

 Among the main topics discussed were the infrastructure section of the ice venues and the rethinking of the village for athletes. At the press conference Eric Saintrond indicated that the next three months will be critical for the future of the event. “We are pleasantly surprised by the work done by the new management team in a short time but we must remember that today the project is delayed, so you have to readjust”, Saintrond said. The FISU SG/CEO also stressed the significance and magnitude of the Universiade which is considered the second largest multi-sports event in the world.

Among the main novelties is the accommodation for athletes, initially planned as an Athletes’ Village and now a new concept based on integration with the hotels in Granada.

Mr. Saintrond also emphasized the construction of the ice facilities, which he said should not be a blip, but a true legacy of the Universiade in the city that transcends time. In this regard, the deputy director of the Higher Sports Council, Marta Carranza, explained that a 2 million € project was signed with the city council to develop the ice palace, a twin rinks facility.

Regarding the financing of the Universiade, Aurelio Urena also highlighted the role of sponsorship. “We expect the event which is of exceptional interest will give a considerable boost to the level of sponsorship.”

For its part, the mayor said that next to the ice palace, located in the north of the city, construction works have started for the Mulhacén pavilion, located next to the sports hall and which will also be used for the Basketball Worlds. Alongside them, the palace of sports will join ancillary facilities required by FISU for the ice sports.

City facilities will be complemented by other buildings, like the venue intended for curling which was awarded to the university. “It will be located in Fuentenueva, so it can later be used to develop other activities,” said Lodeiro.

As for snow, Maria Jose Sanchez recalled that inSierra Nevadainvestments of nearly 9.5 billion euros have been made and the ski station is ready to host the event.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Perez also recalled the role of the county council through the Port of Ragua and expressed his full support for the Universiade.

Finally, Aurelio Urena ensured that over the next 3 months all the recommendations are going to be activated and he confirmed that the Granada 2015 Winter Universiade will be successful.

(Source: OC Granada 2015 WU)

 FISU SG/CEO Eric Saintrond