With final preparations complete, FISU awaits opening of Taipei 2017

 Over 7,700 athletes from 141 countries are set to compete over the next twelve days in Taipei 

Taipei – The finishing touches for the 29^th Summer Universiade have been put in place, preliminary competitions have been successfully held in football and waterpolo, and the Opening Ceremony for Taipei 2017 is just hours away. Against this background, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and the Taipei Universiade Organising Committee held a press conference to preview the competitions at the main press center.

“After nearly six years of working together on preparations for this Universiade, FISU is delighted to be crossing the start line here in Taipei,” said FISU President Oleg Matytsin. “Everything is ready for a great festival of sport, education and culture that will change the lives of thousands of young people very much for the better.” 

 Taipei Arena played a central part in the Summer Universiade competitions  

7,746 athletes from 141 countries are signed up to participate in 271 medal events across 21 sports. While this represents a modest drop from previous highs the 29^th Summer Universiade this will, however, be the biggest sport event ever hosted by Taipei and also the biggest in the world this year. 

“Thanks to the strong foundations put in place by our friends at the organising committee, FISU can look confidently look forward to a great 12 days of sport and also to a great human and physical legacy. Taipei is proving itself capable of hosting the biggest events and doing so in a sustainable way by focusing on the regeneration of existing infrastructure,” said Matytsin.

19,000 volunteers have been trained for the event, and professional development programmes will also be delivered to the student athletes and officials, thanks to the FISU Seminar series to be held in the Athlete’s Village.

While two new venues have been built for the Universiade: the Taipei Tennis Center and the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, both are expected to benefit from a clearly identified long-term demand. Consistent with the IOCs’s strategic roadmap for the future, Agenda 2020, all of the other sports at Taipei 2017 will be held at existing venues. The Athletes’ Village, meanwhile, will be converted to apartments in order to serve as a new neighbourhood of Taipei, mid way between the city centre and airport.      

 The men’s and women’s football competitions in Taipei are spread over five excellent football pitches 

“FISU is very proud of the way student athletes have come to Taipei from all around the world, and also the way images of the Universiade will in turn be broadcast globally,” continued Matytsin. “Here in the host city, interest in the event is at a high level, thanks to an exciting torch relay and innovative advertising and engagement. The ceremonies and some sports sessions are already sold out for tickets and with the Chinese Taipei team being the biggest here, there should be plenty to cheer for.”

Being a member of the Olympic Movement, FISU is bound by the terms of the IOC’s Nagoya Resolution and also the terms of the 1987 agreement that saw the Chinese Taipei University Sports Federation join FISU. Under these terms, the host is designated “Chinese Taipei”, with its own special flag and anthem.