Harbin Youth Federation Meets

Today, the Harbin Youth Federation organized a festive event in honor of the Winter Universiade. FISU Secretary-General/CEO Eric Saintrond thanked the Federation for its efforts.

‘Mr. Chair of the Harbin Youth Federation

Dear Students,

On behalf of FISU, it is a great honor and pleasure to be together with you at the occasion of this reception organized for the young people of Harbin and the athletes participating in the 24th Winter Universiade.

FISU, the city of Harbin and Heilongjiang province have worked very hard together to make these Games a great success and, today, we are extremely happy with the outstanding achievement of this first world winter sports event ever organized in China.

FISU is an organization working for the students and for the development of the sports activities amongst University students. By doing this, we also encourage the youth of the world to meet one another and share ideas not only about sports but also about education, culture and the development of our society.

The University students in China play a major role in the internationalization of this country. More and more students from all over the world are coming to China and more and more Chinese young people are traveling abroad and are registered in foreign Universities. We must bear in mind that the University Students are the leaders of tomorrow and that we must give them the opportunity to gain an international experience and promote their own culture.

The values of friendship and the hospitality that all of you have offered to the nations that are taking part in the 24th Winter Universiade will be reflected and will spread over all continents. The messages of peace and friendship generated by this event will be felt by all foreign nations as a message of peace and friendship addressed to the whole world.

We have no doubt that the FISU motto: “Excellence in Mind and Body” perfectly fits with the youth of your country. Here in Harbin, your athletes have achieved remarkable performances taking away more than 40 medals. We can say that your people are of excellence and, today, you certainly deserve to collect the fruit of your human and economic investment.

I would like to thank all of you for your kindness and co-operation.’

Mr. Saintrond flanked by the triple gold (2005-2007-2009)WU figure skating champions Hao Zhang and Dan Zhang (CHN)