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Athletes’ Village Officially opened!

FISU 26 June 2015


GWANGJU – This Friday, 26 June, FISU Secretary-General/CEO Eric Saintrond opened the Athletes’ Village for the 28th Summer Universiade during an official ceremony attended also by Mr. Yoon Janghyun, Co-Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Mayor of Gwangju; Mr. Hwang-Sik Kim, Co-Chairman of the OC and former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea; Mr. Jong Kim, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Yoon-Seok Kim, Secretary-General of the OC and finally Mr. Byong-Jin You, President of the Korean University Sports Board (KUSB).

Eric Saintrond (left) with Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Hwang-sik Kim

 

 In his speech, Eric Saintrond stressed the importance of this ceremony. “Today is the day when the Universiade takes-off. During more than 3 weeks, Gwangju will turn into the world capital of university youth. The opening of the Universiade Village is a symbolical moment which announces the arrival of the first delegations. We realise the great efforts from the Organising Committee, the Gwangju and Korean authorities and thousands of volunteers into making this dream possible.

Mr. Janghyun Yoon, the Mayor of Gwangju

 

The Universiade Village is the soul of the Games. During 3 weeks, students of all countries will live together in harmony. Over the last six years the FISU staff and FISU Committees have followed the preparation of the Universiade in Gwangju up close and I would like to warmly thank our friends from the Organising Committee for their very close and fruitful cooperation. Soon, after these games, more than 2,000 families will live in this wonderful residential zone. It will be part of one of the major legacies left by the Universiade to the citizens of Gwangju. There is no doubt that the 13,000 participants will demonstrate to be great ambassadors of Gwangju and Korea within their own country.”

Mr. Lim Duck-ho, Mayor of the Athlete’s Village

 

The Universiade Village stays open until 17 July.

 

Yvan Dufour, Editor-in-Chief