2009 Winter Universiade Update
December 4th, 2008
Mr. Cheng Youdong, Executive Vice President of Harbin OC
On Dec. 2nd, a press conference hosted by China University Sports Federation (FUSC) and Harbin OC took place in Beijing, P.R.China. Dr. Zhang Xinsheng, FISU Vice President & FUSC President, Mr. Cheng Youdong, Executive Vice President of Harbin OC and many other VIPs attended the conference.
Mr. Cheng Youdong briefly introduced the smooth preparation of the coming Winter Universiade. A plan of the Torch Relay, which will be started in Heilongjiang Province in late December, was also published. The torch relay aims to exhibit Harbin WU’s theme of “Youth, Future, Ice and Snow” and the great achievements of China’s reform and opening-up as well as the construction of modernization. It displays China’s natural scenery, urban landscape and cultural characteristics, and further stimulates Chinese people’s patriotism and enthusiasm to build a harmonious society.
The torch relay launching ceremony will be held on the Xingzhi Square of Harbin Normal University on December 20th. During the ceremony, the “Ice and Snow Angels” will enter the venue with the flame light in hands and ignite the torch. The first torch bearer will officially be present publicly on that day and the torch will be passed on the campus of Harbin Normal University afterwards. The Harbin Organization Committee will escort the flame light to the next city at the end of it. The torch relay will cover a distance of 2009 kilometers. The torch relay itinerary is as follows: - Mudanjiang city, December 21st; - Qitaihe city, December 22nd; - Jiamusi city, December 23rd; - Qiqihaer city, December 24th; - Daqing city, December 25th; - return to Harbin on December 26th.
Yang Liguo, FUSC Secretary-General
"We will strive for six to eight gold medals and try to make top three on the medal list," Yang Liguo, Secretary-General of the Federation of University Sport of China (FUSC), told reporters. The first-time Winter Universiade host will send a total of 198 athletes to compete in 12 sports and 76 events at the 24th edition of the biannual World Winter University Games. "It will be the largest delegation we send to the Winter Universiade, hopefully our athletes will have an excellent performance on home soil," Yang Liguo added.
The Chinese skaters and skiers will be strong medal contenders in figure skating, short track speed skating, curling, women's ice hockey, speed skating, free style skiing and snowboarding. "We are going to send our top athletes in these sports to compete in Harbin," said Zhao Yinggang, head of the Winter Sports Administration Center of China. "The roster will be finalized on January 18th next year and I believe most of the top athletes including two-time defending champions and Olympic silver medallists Zhang Dan/Zhang Hao will be able to represent China at the Harbin Universiade.
Featuring a total of 12 sports, namely Alpine skiing, cross-country, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, ski jumping, Nordic combined, biathlon, speed skating, short track speed skating, figure skating, ice hockey and curling, the Harbin Winter Universiade will be held from February 18th to 28th in the Chinese northeastern city famous for annual its Ice and Snow Festival.
Mr. Zhang, Chinese Vice-Minister of Education and FISU Vice-President
