24th Winter Universiade Opens in Grand Splendor

On February 18th at 20h00, the kick-off was given to commence the 24th Winter Universiade with the traditional Opening Ceremony, which took place in the Harbin International Conference, Exhibition and Sports Center Gym.

FISU President Killian addresses his opening speechThe Chinese Organizing Committee dazzled the audience and the WU participants with a show of light, dance, music, ice skating and acrobatics. It was without doubt the best staged Opening of a Winter Universiade. Performers were not only Chinese, but were a myriad of races from countries from all over the world, most of them exchange students, embodying the essence of the Universiade, i.e. meeting your peers from other cultures.

Mrs. Liu Yandong, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor‘We are very pleased and honored that this Universiade is being held here in P.R. of China in the year of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of FISU. Indeed, we feel particularly privileged that the authorities of this country have chosen to welcome a Universiade as the first ever winter multisport event ever organized in the very long history of this country’, FISU President Killian said in his opening speech. ‘The P.R. of China is also reaching a special status, in this special year for FISU history, by being one of the few countries in the world to have organized all activities that are on the FISU program from the Universiade to the Championships to the Conference. For that, let me thank the President of the University Sport Federation of China, Mr. Xinsheng Zhang’, Mr. Killian added.

‘In closing, let me extend my sincere thanks to the Government of the Republic of China represented here by Madam Liu Yandong, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor. Meanwhile, my sincere thanks also go to the Ministry of Education of China, General Administration of Sport of China, the Organizing Committee for Harbin 24th Winter Universiade, People’s Government of Heilongjiang Province, and Harbin Municipal Government.’ The FISU President then invited Mrs. Liu Yandong to declare the Games open.

A fantastic spectacle then entertained the audience. Thank you Harbin!