ESPN brings US viewers live coverage of the 27th FISU Summer Universiade in Kazan

LAUSANNE – FISU, the governing body of international university sport, has secured live coverage in the US for the 27th edition of the Summer Universiade (Kazan, Russia – July 6-17, 2013) on ESPN networks. 

For the first time, the Universiades will be telecast live in the US. ESPN will cover over 40 hours of Summer Universiade action on ESPNU and an additional 250 hours will be available live on ESPN3 from July 6 – 17, 2013. ESPN’s multiscreen sports network in the US is available to fans who receive their Internet or video subscription from an affiliated provider.  It is accessible to more than 85 million households online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members and on Apple TV. ESPN coverage will focus on Basketball, Water Polo, Swimming, Track & Field, Beach Volleyball and Volleyball. 

The Universiades have proven to showcase future stars that have gone on to perform at World Championship and Olympic level. American swimmer Dana Vollmer, a gold and silver medalist at the 2005 Summer Universiade in Izmir, Turkey went on to win three gold medals during the Olympic Games in London last summer and become an Olympic Champion: “The Universiades have a history of great talent within athletics and I am honored be a part of that history. ESPN’s support will allow audiences the opportunity to see upcoming stars compete on their way to the top. The Universiades was an important stepping stone in my career.”

The Universiades, (Winter & Summer) are held every two years, gathering student-athletes aged 17-28 and are second only to the Olympic Games in terms of number of participating athletes and countries represented. In Kazan, more than 10,000 student-athletes will compete in 27 sports.

“Our agreement to deliver FISU events is a testament to our commitment of serving sports fans with quality programming, both domestically and from around the world,” said Todd Myers, director of programming and acquisitions for ESPN.  “We look forward to carrying these events to a US audience.”

“I am extremely pleased that ESPN will bring the FISU flagship event to the homes of our American student-athletes, their family and friends and the sport-loving American audience,” said FISU President, Claude-Louis Gallien. “Like FISU, which strives for excellence on campus and on the sports field, ESPN brings excellence with its quality coverage and story-telling, by relating the sport stories that matter most to US audiences. I am confident that with the help of ESPN, the International University Sport Movement will continue to grow in popularity on the American continent.” 

(FISU Media)