FISU returns to Central Switzerland to monitor Winter Universiade 2021 preparations

It’s not winter yet, but it’s getting there. The FISU Winter Universiade Supervision Committee was in Central Switzerland for coordination meetings and inspection visits at the Lucerne and Andermatt-Realp event venues.

LUCERNE – Acting in its role as a vital link between FISU and an organising committee, the Winter Universiade Supervision Committee was back in Central Switzerland to check-in and monitor the preparations – as well as the spirit and tradition – of the 30th edition of the event.

Led by FISU CSU chair and executive committee member Marian Dymalski was in the Lucerne 2021 Winter Universiade host city for supervision meetings and inspection visits.   The Polish sports leader was joined by the supervision committee’s vice-chair, Kairis Ulp, as well as the FISU Winter Universiade staff.

After sitting down with the Lucerne 2021 Winter Universiade organisers for an initial comprehensive overview of the current event preparations, the group visited the short track speed skating, figure skating venues in Lucerne, and the cross-country skiing competition track in Andermatt-Realp.

As the central Swiss region is a cradle of winter sport, the event’s ten sports disciplines will take place at seven competition venues that play to the sporting needs – and existing infrastructure already in place. With an eye on legacy and sustainability, the Winter Universiade 2021 will rely entirely on sports venues currently in place, enhanced with temporary overlays and event branding kits during Universiade-time.

The Realp cross-country venue provides a definite case in point. With an elevation above 1,500 metres and home training base for many of the country’s top Nordic skiers and biathletes, organisers can calm the snow security concerns that often befuddle snow sport event organisers. Having a local expert team known for putting on top-level Nordic ski events only adds to the event’s preparedness.

 The FISU CSU and Winter Universiade staff delegation and Lucerne 2021 organising committee visited the team accommodation, event facilities and competition track for cross-country skiing in the Andermatt-Realp area of Central Switzerland

Committee chair Dymalski noted the proximity of the short track and figure skating venues as a definite plus for competing student-athletes. “They’ll enjoy competing here,” Dymalski said. “Just walking around the Lucerne, you can feel their excitement for winter sports. Having snowflakes starting to fall only made the January 2021 event feel that much more real.”

FISU Winter Universiade Director Milan Augustin highlighted the CSU committee’s visit to the University of Lucerne. The venue sits alongside Lake Lucerne and immediately beside the planned Universiade Park. “The whole Lucerne 2021 concept is absolutely in the spirit of university sports,” Augustin said. “Having a new and modern university facility play such a focal role for event operations planning and hosting the International Broadcasting Centre and Main Press Centre sends the right message about the intersection of school with elite sport.”

 Between meetings and inspections, the FISU delegation and Lucerne 2021 organising committee found time to break bread with nighttime conversation and cuisine at the cultural landmark Nölliturm, a 15th-century gunpowder storehouse tower building

Playing on the cultural aspects of the event and the city of Lucerne’s historical importance to the region, the intensive days of exchange ended at the Nölliturm, a 15th-century gunpowder storehouse tower. Beat Züsli, Mayor of Lucerne, and Niklaus Bleiker, Vice President of the Association Winteruniversiade Lucerne-Central Switzerland, welcomed the delegation for conversational exchange and a culinary tour de force.

“Our preparations are well underway, and we are heading in the right direction.” Said Urs Hunkeler, Managing Director of Lucerne 2021, during the final meeting, before adding: “The discussions with the responsible persons at FISU will help us to tackle further planning in a targeted manner.”