2022 FISU World University Championship Orienteering in the starting blocks

More than 250 student-athletes from 27 nations are ready to compete in and around Biel-Magglingen (Switzerland), which hosts the 2022 FISU World University Championship Orienteering from 17 to 21 August.

An endurance sport developed in Sweden in the late 1800s, foot orienteering requires from the athletes to run over rough ground, completely unprepared forest terrain or sometimes rugged open hills. The orienteers must navigate with only a map and compass while running to find their route.

The programme includes five competitions:

Sprint on 17 August in Biel, urban terrain (city), 450 m above sea level

Long-distance on 18 August in Gondiswil, Orienteering terrain between 600 and 750 m above sea level. Mostly coniferous forest. Hill sides with moderate to steep slopes.  

Sprint Relay on 19 August in Langenthal, Urban terrain in a small city, 470 m above sea level with side streets and narrow footpaths

Middle-Distance on 20 August in Corcelles Orienteering terrain between 650 and 850 m above sea level. Coniferous forest with small semi-open to open pasture. Hill side with moderate to steeper slopes.

Relay on 21 August in Gondiswil, Orienteering terrain between 600 and 750 m above sea level. Mostly coniferous forest. Hill sides with moderate to steep slopes. 

The participating nations in alphabetical order are:

Australia – Austria – Belgium – Brazil – Bulgaria – Canada – Hong Kong China – Czech Republic – Denmark – Finland – France – Germany – Great Britain – Hungary – Israel – Ireland – Italy – Japan – New Zealand – Norway – Poland – Slovakia – Spain – Sweden – Switzerland – Ukraine – USA

The sprint and middle-distance competitions will be livestreamed on