2008 WUC Beach Volleyball: Competitions
July 6th, 2008
Marc Tennant, George Killian & Kole Gjeloshaj
Reception at the Hamburg City Hall
As the celebratory highlight of the 4th World University Beach Volleyball Championship, a senate reception was scheduled for the athletes and members of the delegations on Saturday night. In the magnificent big council hall of Hamburg’s city hall the first mayor of Hamburg Ole von Beust welcomed them. Almost all the athletes brought cameras in order to capture the moment. Mayor von Beust gave an account of his impressions of the WUBC at the beginning of his speech. In the afternoon he had been watching the second men’s semi-finals and he was enthused by the atmosphere and the performance. In his short speech von Beust underlined the social importance of sport that advances, team spirit and a fair cooperation. In addition to that he pointed out - also in view of the Universiade application of the Hansa town - how important especially the University Sports is that connects the sportive and academic elite. Subsequently George E. Killian, President of the FISU, talked to the participants. He thanked the mayor, the German University Sports Federation (adh) and the organizers of the WUBC. He also mentioned Hamburg’s Universiade application and the characteristics of the University sports. According to this the Universiade is the last sportive mega event that is not totally professionalized. Therefore he thanked the numerous volunteers that make an event like the WUBC possible. The Vice-President of the German Olympic Sport Federation (DOSB), Gudrun Doll-Tepper, talked next. She also thanked everyone for the successful organisation of the WUBC and again pointed out the help of the volunteers. She was sure that the event will contribute to Germany’s good reputation as a sport nation. Last Nico Sperle, Chairman of the adh, held a speech and again also thanked the organizers and supporters. He also expressed his gratitude to the athletes and delegations. Subsequently all guests had the chance to look back at the week with a glass of wine, sparkling wine or juice before the shuttles drove back to the venue where everybody celebrated at the player’s night.
