World Games provides FISU a perfect stage for close collaboration with sport partners

With the 2017 World Games currently underway with 10 days of sports action, President Matytsin came to support the event – and to attend a series of strategic meetings with partner organisations

WROCLAW, POLAND – When the World Games lifted the curtain to the international multisport event late last week, FISU President Oleg Matytsin was in attendance at the behest of the organising committee. Extending the invitation to FISU was Adam Roczek,  a world leader in the university sports movement. In addition to presiding over the European University Sports Association, Roczek is also the vice president of the event’s organising committee. 

In addition to supporting the World Games – which expects up to 4,000 athletes to compete in many events and disciplines outside FISU’s compulsory sports programme – President Matytsin used the opportunity to hold a series of important meetings with FISU partner organization representatives also in Wroclaw.

President Matytsin with IOC President Bach during the signing of the memorandum of understanding between FISU and the International Olympic Committee in November 2016. IOC Image © All Rights Reserved. 

President Matytsin’s meeting with IOC President Thomas Bach allowed the leaders to discuss the ongoing cooperation outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, signed last November between FISU and the IOC. With Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC and President Bach have been looking to maximize synergies with significant stakeholders like FISU who develop today’s stars and tomorrow’s leaders through sports.

President Matytsin continued his dialogue with the IOC on increasing education through sport in meetings with the IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell and IOC Head of Sports Partnerships & Coordination Jennifer Mann

President Matytsin (centre) with FISU Vice President Marian Dymalski (left) and EUSA President Adam Roczek before the start of the World Games Opening Ceremonies in Wroclaw. Roczek is also the World Games organising committee Vice President. 

With a IOC’s stated directive to keep athletes at the heart of the Olympic Games by having the IOC further invest in supporting athletes on and off the field of play, the three leaders discussed the recently completed FISU Volunteer Leaders’ Academy and the FISU Ambassador project. The latter will soon be launched with the assistance of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.

President Matytsin also met with World Anti-Doping (WADA) President Craig Reedie. FISU and WADA have a long-standing partnership of protecting and honouring clean athletes, with athlete and athlete entourage education playing a leading role in the close collaboration between the two organisations.

 Just like FISU has American Football as part of its World University Championships programme- going on to its third edition in Harbin in 2018 – the World Games also has the sport on their event programme.

Together, FISU and WADA created an anti-doping e-textbook for university students. The two leaders discussed further steps to make in order to raise awareness among young people about the dangers of doping.

Timekeeping is one of the key components contributing to a successful sports event delivery: every fan sports fan, whether they are in the arena or watching on television, relies on accurate, instant results. While in Wroclaw, President Matytsin met with Swiss Timing CEO Alain Zobrist to discuss future cooperation opportunities to maximize the sports experience for competitors, coaches and fans.

The World Games includes tug of war on the programme. After the referee says “Pick up the rope!” then “Pull!” eight athletes a side give everything they’ve got. World Games Image © All Rights Reserved 

President Matytsin also met with International World Games Association President José Perurena López and other key stakeholders of the international sports movement, including the leaders of Polish university sports (FISU Vice President Marian Dymalski, Adam Roczek, leaders of AZS Poland – Polish NUSF) to discuss future projects.

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Forging closer relationships within the Olympic movement was an integral pillar of President Matytsin’s election campaign in 2015. From the MoU signing to visits like this one in Wroclaw showcase FISU’s commitment to using sport as a way to develop excellence in both body and mind – and the how much the organisation’s vision and mission aligns with other key players in sports.