Heads of Delegation Meeting in Belgrade – Day 1

Today, March 19th, the Heads of Delegation had their first day of visits of the 2009 Summer Universiade venues.

The 3-day Heads of Delegation Meeting in Belgrade started with a warm welcome by the Mr. Illich, President of the EC of the Belgrade Organizing Committee who gave the floor to FISU President Killian who also welcomed the delegates and praised the OC for its perseverance in the tough moments of the Economic crisis. After the roll call of the delegations present, Ms. Kostro, Head of Public Relations gave an update of the situation so far.

The Heads of Delegation visiting the Athletes’ Village

After the presentation, the delegates visited the Athletes’ Village which is near completion. In the University Village administrative building, Mr. Djilas, the Belgrade Mayor, thanked the FISU President for standing by his decision to have Belgrade host the Summer Universiade 2009 despite the problems organizers had in the meantime. ‘It is a great honor for us to host this year’s biggest sports event. Belgrade is well known for hosting big sports events, but this one will surpass them all – not only because of the number of participants, but because of its importance worldwide’, said Mr. Djilas.

President Killian and Mayor Djilas‘A large number of young people, not only in Belgrade, but all over Serbia are working at the Universiade. We will do our best to organize everything to the best of our ability’, the Mayor added.

‘In the past months we have encountered many obstacles, but despite that we are ready for the start of the 25th Universiade and I am sure it will be successful’, said Mr. Killian. According to the FISU President success of a Universiade depends, above all, on the work of volunteers. ‘It is evident that people in Serbia have been working hard. My colleagues have seen the University Village. The important thing is that the young people will have adequate sleeping accommodations, required meals and facilities for personal hygiene. I am looking forward to coming here on July 1st’, Mr. Killian said.

The delegates also went to see the EXPO XXI venue which will host the catering and dinning hall for the athletes.

After lunch, the delegates were split in two different groups. Group A went to visit the venues in Belgrade, Group B traveled outside Belgrade to the Millennium Centre in Vrsac which will host games of the basketball competition and to Smederevo where volleyball will be staged.

The FISU delegation and 88 representatives from 45 Universiade participant countries will be visiting Belgrade until March 22nd.

Mongolia answers to the roll call during the meeting 

President Killian and Mayor Djilas

One of the buildings in the Village

The International Building in the Village

The Millennium Center in Vrsac

The volleyball venue in Smederevo, still under construction