Gwangju is officially "Candidate City" for the 2013 Summer Universiade
February 13th, 2008
Mr Park Kwang-Tae, Mayor of Gwangju (left) giving the Bidding Dossier to Mr Eric Saintrond, FISU General Secretary
Today, an important delegation from the Korean city of Gwangju paid a visit to our FISU HQ to officially present their bidding dossier to Mr Eric Saintrond, the FISU General Secretary. As you probably know the city of Gwangju is one of our candidates for the organisation of the 2013 Summer Universiade. The attribution of the games will be held in Brussels at the end of May and Gwangju is the first city to become officially "Candidate City".
Conducted by Mr Park Kwang-Tae, the mayor of Gwangju, the delegates were very happy to be in Brussels and to present the candidature of their city. Mr Park introduced all the members of his team and made a very interesting speech about his city an about the way he would like to host our Universiade. Located in the southwest region, Gwangju is the focal point for culture and education in Korea, and is the home of 16 colleges and universities with a total of 58 institutions for tertiary education. Blessed with a beautiful natural environment and a soft climate, Gwangju is an ideal location for sports events . Of course, the Mayor and all the delegates presented all the necessary documents requested in our requirements. FISU will send there an evaluation Committee very soon to inspect all the sport venues and the accommodation facilities.
Mr Kim Sang-Woo, Secretary General of the Korean Olympic Committee (right) together with Mr Woo-Seong Chong, ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Belgium
Mr Eric Saintrond, the FISU Secretary General thanked all the Delegates and underlined the fact that FISU is always very pleased to work with Korean people. Indeed, Korea organised already two exceptional Universiades: one in both cities of Chonju and Muju for the 1997 Winter Universiade and another one in Daegu for the Summer Universiade in 2003. In both cases all our students-athletes received a high standard welcome.
Mr Lee Hee-Beom, Chairperson of the Bid Committee
