FISU visit key Winter Universiade 2021 event sites in Central Switzerland

Lucerne looks to “Welcome Home” the Winter Universiade to Central Switzerland as the Lucerne 2021 tagline asserts. The event will be the first time the Universiade takes place in the area since Villars hosted in 1962.

The FISU Winter Universiade International Technical Committee travelled to Central Switzerland last week for a sport-focused inspection visit

LUCERNE – The city sitting among snow-capped mountains on Lake Lucerne opened up its sports facilities – and its sports management expertise – for an official FISU inspection visit. For three days last week, members of the Winter Universiade International Technical Committee visited event venues, discussed the procedures at the sports facilities, and finalised the competition calendar.

The event kicked off Tuesdays with two presentations. After a brief introduction from FISU, representatives of the local organising committee presented their planning status throughout the event’s respective departments. The federation came away with a greater depth of understanding about the venues, the hotels, the transport system, and medical care at the event.

The Lucerne 2021 organisers also highlighted how they were ensuring the athlete experience throughout the event. Delegation officials came back from their visit to central Switzerland with the view that the athletes of the 30^th Winter Universiade would stay at the heart of the games.

FISU technical committee members, Winter Universiade staff, and Lucerne 2021 local organisers visit the cross-country skiinig venue of Andermatt-Realp during the technical sports inspection 

On the second day of the inspection visit, technical officials from FISU and their respective counterparts from the organising committee visited the venues and sports facilities. The sports experts focused on the technical details, including the route and the procedure on a competition day. The most important finding for Zofia Kielpinska, FISU CTI member for cross-country skiing, is that there is a qualified team in place at the Andermatt-Realp venue. “Good people are on the right positions,” Kielpinska succinctly stated. 

On the last day of the intensive exchange, the delegations discussed the next steps during round table exchanges. At the end of this meeting, FISU gave the Lucerne 2021 organisers recommendations for action. “This week we were able to identify the areas where we are on the right track or where there is a need for action,” said Roger Roth, Winter Universiade International Technical Committee Chair. “We are confident that we will be able to find solutions to the open questions.”

Added Urs Hunkeler, Lucerne 2021 Managing Director: “Now it’s up to us to do our homework. But the course has been set for a successful Winter Universiade.”