Opening of the 25th FISU Conference in Kazan

Claude-Louis Gallien opening the first plenary session

KAZAN – Along with the Summer Universiade, FISU organises a four-day academic conference every two years. The Conference is one of FISU’s traditional events as the first edition was organised way back in 1960. This event is always organised in cooperation with the highest local academic authorities ensuring the academic level and scientific credibility.

The objective of the FISU Conference is to create a platform to present scientific papers on university sport and to stimulate the research on the topic. The themes discussed in the conference focus on the study of university sport further elaborated with keynote addresses, poster presentations, paper-presentation workshops and discussion groups.

The FISU Conference is a key FISU event as it allows many of the student-athletes who compete in the Universiade to take part in an international academic conference as well. It fosters the academic spirit in the sports arena.

On July 14th, FISU 1st Assessor Alison Odell, Chair of the FISU Education Committee had the pleasure of opening the conference. After her welcome speech, FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien, President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, FISU Secretary-General/CEO Eric Saintrond, Deputy Minister of Sports of Russia Natalia Parshikova and finally FISU 1st Vice-President and President of the Russian Federation of University Sport (RSSU) Oleg Matytsin welcomed the participants at an academic session interspersed with cultural performances.

Rustam Minnikhanov welcoming the participantsAfter the official opening ceremony, the first plenary session started with the three speakers of the day: Mr. Gallien, Mrs Parshikova and finally Mr. Jean Durry, sports historian. All three presented the main theme of the conference – ‘University Sport and Olympic Sport: two models – one goal?’ from a different angle.

The conference takes place from July 14th to 17th at the Conference Centre of the Main International Centre (MIC) at the Universiade Village in Kazan.

Subthemes

• Historical, cultural and social aspects of University and Olympic sport

• Legacy benefits of staging a Universiade or Olympic Games

• Dual career issues for student-athletes

• The role of Media in University and Olympic sport

• Traditional and innovative technologies in University and Olympic sport

• Leading a healthy lifestyle: how can University and Olympic sport contribute?

• The place of sport in different educational systems

• Women in University and Olympic sport

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