Hamburg will bid for the 2015 SU
April 15th, 2008
Nico Sperle
Hamburg is selected to be the German candidate city for the World University Games 2015. The General Assembly of the German University Sport Federation (adh) was convinced that the hanseatic concept of hosting Games in the heart of the city will be most successful. Germany’s candidacy enjoys full support of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and the German Government. It is realized in close coordination with the Federal Ministry of Inner Affairs. adh’s chairman Nico Sperle explains: “Hamburg’s Universiade concept not only convinced the German advisory committee, but also convinced all members of adh.” Hamburg offers ideal conditions and exhibits a variety of interesting options for the second largest multi-sports event besides the Olympic Summer Games. Hamburg Games have the potential to connect student-athletes from all over the world with almost 100,000 students in the city. Both groups consist of high potentials, who are the future opinion leaders and decision makers. The excellent infrastructure, extremely short distances and a high percentage of already existing sport facilities characterize the Hamburgerian application as much as the concept concerning sustainability and a minimum effect on climate change. We are sure that Hamburg is able to deliver a state of the art bidding campaign and will keep up with the international competition that is expected to be of high quality. High performance sports, science, culture and intercultural exchange: These features shape the Metropolitan City of Hamburg as well as a possible Universiade in Central Europe. The DOSB, the participating Hamburgerian institutions and adh are willing and eager to support the international phase of the application process with specific sport political interventions. A comprehensive cooperation is elementary in order to succeed in a tough international battle for the attribution. The President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation, IOC Vice-President Dr. Thomas Bach stated: ‘The German sport movement will support the application in the best possible way. Hosting the Universiade in Germany would be great for the national university sport movement and for the whole country. During the last months Hamburg has proven many times that it is an excellent host for top sport events.’
Animation of the Athltes' Village
Verena Burk
Dr. Verena Burk, the German member of the Executive Committee of FISU, thinks positively about Germany’s candidacy for the Universiade 2015: ‘Germany enjoys a great reputation regarding international sports events worldwide. This also applies to the sector of university sport. Many people inside and outside FISU enjoy remembering the Universiade 1989 in Duisburg which had been prepared in about 150 days only.’ This time adh is facing a different situation: ‘Hamburg has to prove its excellent possibilities in a tough application process and a sophisticated selection procedure. Therefore Hamburg has to have innovative and sustainable concepts as well as 100% political and sport political support’, said Dr. Burk.
