FISU President opens Taipei 2017 Athletes’ Village

TAIPEI CITY – With just a week to go until the Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade begins, the Athletes’ Village was officially opened today, 12 August, by FISU President Oleg Matytsin, who was given also his first tour around the complex.

Accompanied by Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade Organising Committee Chief Executive M. Wen Je Ko and Athletes’ Village Mayor Han Sheng Chiang, President Matytsin cut the ceremonial ribbon before enjoying a tour of the purpose built accommodation, which will house over 7,000 athletes throughout the competition.

FISU President Matytsin

Speaking at the launch of the Village, President Matytsin praised the quality of the facilities and expressed his expectation that student athletes would reap the benefits of an Olympic-style experience.

“The opening of the Athletes’ Village brings us another step closer to the beginning of the Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade and I believe that these facilities will help every competitor to achieve their very best next week,” President Matytsin said. “From the fitness centre to the dining options, every consideration has been taken with the athlete in mind when designing and building this state of the art facility.”

Drums accompanying the Lion Dance (photo: C. Pierre) 

The Athletes’ Village is located in Linqou, a new neighbourhood in northeast Taipei, halfway between the city and the airport. As part of the Universiade legacy, the Village will provide affordable apartments for future generations of Taipei residents. 

Lion Dance (photo: C. Pierre)

FISU Summer Universiade Director Marc Vandenplas commented that the completion of the Village was a proud moment for FISU. “FISU has been working with the Taipei Organising Committee from the very beginning on this complicated project. The final result will allow us to comfortably host athletes from all over the world in a wonderful Village, in addition to benefitting the city of Taipei for years to come. We are very proud of this.”

The Lion Dance: a great performance (photo: C. Pierre)

Athletes and coaches will now begin to arrive at the Taipei 2017 Athletes’ Village as they get acclimatised to the conditions in Chinese Taipei. Peter Stafford, deputy head of Team Ireland’s delegation, praised the high standard of accommodation. “The quality of the Taipei 2017 Universiade Athletes’ Village is first rate, and it is clear that thought, care and meticulous planning have gone into creating this wonderful hub for the participants,” he said. “From transport to nutrition, every area has been considered to produce facilities worthy of these superb athletes.”   

As well as housing the athletes, the Village will also be used as a centre for out of competition anti-doping control, as well as the ‘Check up your heart’ programme, which aims to screen 2,000 athletes throughout the competition.

The Village looks poised to execute on FISU’s vision to develop tomorrow’s leaders through sport with eight special seminars during the second week of the Universiade. The seminars are focused on specific, athlete-centred issues such as career transition and will be delivered by industry leaders, including broadcaster Eurosport and the IOC’s Athlete Career Programme partner, the Adecco Group.

 Group picture with the FISU President and the other VIPs (photo: C.Pierre)

The Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade will begin on 19 August, bringing together sport, education and culture over the 12 day festival.