Evaluation Committee 2013 SU Visits Gwangju - Day 2
May 3rd, 2008
Mayor Park shows the FISU delegates around the city hall
Another huge crowd showed up when the FISU delegates arrived at the city hall
Today, May 3rd, during the second day of the Evaluation Committee for the 2013 Summer Universiade in candidate city Gwangju, Korea, the day started with a visit to the city hall where Mayor Park welcomed the FISU delegates together with a huge crowd. It is becoming a habit that everywhere the Evaluation Committee members go, huge crowds show up chanting ‘We love FISU’. At the city hall, the FISU delegates met with former Olympians and Universiade champions.
Next the FISU delegates returned to the Kim Daejung Convention centre for another presentation. This time the Bidding Committee presented all the venues which will host the sports events for the Games. Gwangju is already equipped with sufficient sports facilities, capable of hosting the 2013 Summer Universiade. However, to hold an unprecedented Universiade Games, the OC is planning to refurbish and renovate existing facilities. They plan to upgrade its high-tech systems as well as build new cutting edge sports venues. In particular, the new stadiums will become ubiquitous facilities that can be continuously sustained and managed, along with surrounding back-up infrastructure.
After the coffee break Vice-Mayor Kim gave an overview of the Athletes’ Village to be built. The Athletes’ Village will be located within 5 minutes distance from the Universiade Village. For the first time in international sporting event history, the athletes can walk to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Moreover, all the sport facilities will be located within a 15 km radius of the Village and can be reached within 30 minutes.
The accommodations will be customized to meet the needs of each athletic team, in particular, the Gwangju OC promises to give full consideration to all cultural diversity so that the athletes always feel at home. During the Games, the Athletes’ Village will be used as living quarters for the participants of the Universiade. After the Games, it will be parcelled out to the public and as such it will be designed to become a comprehensive residential complex from the planning stage.
After the conclusion of the Games, the Village will be sold to the population under the name of ‘Universiade Athletes’ Apartments’. It will become a pleasant accommodation and an unforgettable memory of the Universiade. The Universiade Village will be composed of not only the apartment complex, but also various convenience facilities, outdoor track, public spaces and large-scale public facilities and sparks. It will be divided into 4 zones and managed separately.
Mr. Bergh presents the Korean PM a FISU souvenir
After the presentation, the FISU delegates were invited for lunch by the Prime Minister of Korea, Mr. Han Seung-soo. In his welcome speech the PM thanked FISU for its efforts of bringing young students closer together through sports. ‘Now we know for sure that the Gwangju Bid is fully supported by the national government’, Mr. Bergh said in his speech, thanking the Korean PM for the invitation and his presence during the inspection visit of the FISU Evaluation Committee.
After lunch, the FISU delegates started a tour of venue visits. Their first stop was the Gwangju World Cup Stadium, built for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Prior to the visit of the stadium, they were invited to participate in a tree planting ceremony to commemorate the Gwangju 2013 SU Bid.
Another surprise at the 2002 World Cup Stadium...
When the FISU delegates entered the stadium they were welcomed by a huge crowd in the venue. In the meanwhile an exhibition football game was played between two University teams. Next stop was the Yeom-Ju Gymnasium with a seating capacity of 9,100 that will be used for basketball and the Yeom-Ju Indoor Tennis Court which will host fencing.
The road trip continued to the existing sport facilities of Chosun University (basketball, football), Dongkang College (Volleyball) and Honam University (football & gymnastics), as well as Gwangju Physical Education High School (gymnastics). In the evening the FISU delegates were invited to dinner by Mr. Lee Hee-Beom, Chairman of the Gwangju 2013 Bid Committee and CEO of the Korean International Trade Association. Tomorrow, May 4th, the Evaluation Committee will have its last day of venue visits.
Two Olympic Gymnast Medallists: Mr. Hisato Igarashi (FISU) & Yeo Hong Choll, who is also a former Universiade medallist (1991 & 1993)
Evaluation Committee member Kemal Tamer at the tree planting ceremony
The 2002 World Cup Stadium
Yeom-Ju Gymnasium
The aquatic center that will be used for practice only as a new venue will be cosntructed for the aquatic sports of the SU
The Dean of the PE Faculty of Chosun University shows the delegates all the sport venues on campus
Honam University Gymnasium
Honam University Soccer Pitch
