2009 Summer Universiade: Update
December 18th, 2008
Risk Review Belgrade Arena
Meeting between the FISU delegation (right) and the Belgrade OC Members resp. Arena Managers
From December 15th to 17th, Mr Richard N. Tolley, Managing Consultant from the company Marsh (Global Sports, Entertainment and Events Practise) visited Belgrade together with FISU Assessor Leonz Eder, Member of the FISU Taskforce Belgrade, in order to get an overview about the Belgrade Arena. This fantastic venue, built in 2005, will not only host the semi-finals and finals in Basketball and the Table Tennis competition during the 2009 Universiade, but also serve as facility for the Opening and the Closing Ceremonies. FISU decided to assign 'Marsh' to evaluate the Belgrade Arena, because it will be the first time in the history of FISU that an Opening and Closing Ceremony of the Summer Universiade will be held indoor.
The inspection of the Arena consisted of several meetings with Mr. Dejan Susovic, Broadcasting Director and Opening and Closing Ceremony Coordinator, Mrs. Borjana Dedoevic, Project Communication Manager for Broadcasting, Mr. Radislav Belacevic, Director of the company Belgrade Arena and Mr. Bratislav Milutinovic, Assistant Venue Director. The site visit of the Arena concluded also the presentation of the detailed plan of all levels, the fire exit routes, the access and egress routes. Safety questions and security issues were discussed as well as the emergency response plan, medical services and seating capacities. The Organizing Committee of the Universiade Belgrade will soon assign the Art director for the Ceremonies. After that all the protocol issues can be discussed between FISU and the OC.
The Belgrade Arena hosted many big international sporting events (Diamond Balls, European Basketball Championships, Tennis and Volleyball competitions) so far, but also many cultural performances such as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2007 EYOF, the Eurovision Song Contest and recently a concert of 'Queen'.
Belgrade Arena
Mr Radisav Belacevic, Director of the company Belgrade Arena, explaining the venue to Richard N. Tolley, Borjana Dedoevic and Leonz Eder (from left)
