Today, March 1st, the FISU Executive Committee met for the second day of session in Harbin, China, the host city of the 24th Winter Universiade to be held from February 18th to 28th, 2009. The day ended with a meeting between FISU President George Killian and China's Minister of Education, H.E. Mr. Zhou Ji. 

The morning session of the second day started with the progress report of the Organising Committee of the 2009 Winter Universiade addressed by Mr. Cheng Youdong, Vice-Governor of the Heilongjiang Province. The construction of the sports venues has been accomplished ahead of schedule. Meanwhile the newly-built and renovated construction projects of snow events have also been completed primarily. The construction of the snow venues in Jabuli en Maoer Mountain Ski Resorts has already been completed, except for the K125 Ski jumping hill, which is still in progress and will be completed in October 2008. The renovation and construction of all ice venues in Harbin will be finished by the end of 2008. The preparation of the competitions is also advancing smoothly. The training and competition programs have been drafted. The marketing work has gained initial results as the first group of partners and sponsors have been signed, such as People's Insurance Company of China (PICC), China Qiaodan Sports Goods Corporation (clothing), ZTE Corporation (electronics).

The PR machine is also doing its work as the OC website was revamped and billboards and flags with the logo and mascot of the Games are adorning the city streets. Trailers are shown on TV and advertisements are published in the newspapers. PR booths were present at trade fairs.

February 18th marked the one-year countdown to the opening of the Harbin Winter Universiade, meaning the preparatory work has entered the last stretch. ‘The OC has made detailed arrangements for the upcoming preparation tasks', the Vice-Governor said. ‘We will try our utmost to bring the world the most spectacular Universiade in history with great efficiency and hard work to reciprocate the confidence of FISU and make active contributions to the development of world university sports.' 

After this presentation, the floor was given to Mrs. Kairis Ulp, CSU Chair, to present the report of the 1st CSU Meeting prior to the EC Meeting. ‘In general, we are very satisfied with the preparations in Harbin, Yabuli and Maoer Mountain, especially with the finished construction works and the involvement of FIS and IBU experts in these works' Mrs. Ulp told the EC. ‘Although, four key issues need special attention, i.e. finishing the works with the infrastructure on time; acquiring sufficient technical know-how for running the competitions; global management system and the preparations of the human resources and volunteer project.'  

Next, Mr. Milan Augustin, Director of the Winter Universiade, presented the CTI Report in name of CTI Chair Roger Roth. The first contact of the FISU Technical Chairs with their sports related partners of the Harbin OC was very successful. All the demanded key persons, such as venue and competition managers showed up and collaboration started everywhere with enthusiasm and the will to reach a successful final presentation of their competitions just in less than 365 days was everywhere perceptible. The homologation processes by the ISF commissars are launched and on track. All experts of FIS and IBU involved in the constructions of the venues did an excellent job and have to be congratulated. As a matter of fact, some sports or competition formats are not yet implemented in China, while in others they have already raised World and Olympic champions. Some competitions have never taken place in China and the know-how has to be acquired completely. To achieve this, staff training programs and tests events have been launched. 

Then the floor was given to Sinisa Jasnic, CT Chair championships and Laurent Briel Director of Championships. A summary was given of the progress of the 2008 World University Championships. Mr. Briel also mentioned the fact that FISU signed three more conventions with ISFs, i.e. the International Badminton Federation, the International Baseball Federation and the International Canoe Federation which bring the number of conventions with ISFs to 11.

Today we have already 18 WUC fixed for 2010. Four more candidatures were received and the bidding dossiers for 2012 are ready.

Patronage was given for the 2008 World University Sambo Cup in Kaunas, LTU and for the U-Games 2008, 2009, 2010 in Evolène, SUI, which are Alpine and Nordic Skiing Competitions.

Next the floor was given to the bidding committees for 2010 WUCs. After the presentation of the bids, the FISU EC accepted the candidatures of the following World University Championships for 2010, bringing the number for 2010 to 22 World University Championships:
- Beach Volleyball: Antalya, Turkey;
- Equestrian: Sangju, Korea (interesting detail: to support their bid the bidding committee brought over 200 people);
- Field Hockey: Edinburgh, Scotland, GBR;
- Savate: Nantes, France (which is also a new sport on the WUC Program).
 

The last action prior to the lunch was the approval of the CISCA nominations for the 2008 World University Championships.

It was also decided to invite the presidents of the four Continental Associations and 2 students per continent to the FISU Forum in Krakow.

The FISU also granted the Harbin OC the possibility to host a Scientific Conference during the Harbin Winter Universiade.

Treasurer Danzandorj Bayasgalan was added to the Development Committee, chaired by FISU President Killian. 

After lunch, Verena Burk, Vice-Chair of the Press Committee gave a report of the Press Committee meeting held in the FISU HQ early February. On March 10th a contract will be signed with Russia TV and the contracts with EBU and Fox TV will be continued. FISU's TV consultant Dominique Curchod gave a presentation on how to get events on TV.

Next Eric Saintrond gave an update about the 2013 bidding dossiers and announced the composition of the evaluation groups for the 2013 Winter and Summer Universiade bidding candidates. He also explained the newly developed bidding cities presentation.
 

Then the floor was given to the OC delegates of the 2011 Winter Universiade in Erzurum, Turkey. As 2007 was a planning year for the Erzurum OC, with the beginning of 2008 all constructions will start. The OC is in the second phase of the design development plan regarding the Konakii and Palandoken lifts, site plans and snowmaking program, the Nordic Centre plans and the Kandilli Building plans to be completed in 5 months. An agreement was confirmed with the Slovenian firm Atelje to complete a Ski jumping design project (5 ski jumps, accommodation, parking and facilities which will be completed in 6 months). Most construction will be done in 2009. A first ice rink in Palandoken for ice hockey is already in construction. All other ice arenas are in the planning stage. Construction of the Athletes' Village already started. ‘The rough diamond of Erzurum is beginning to shine now', Mr. Kemal Tamer from the Turkish NUSF commented. 

Next the OC of the 2011 Summer Universiade in Shenzhen presented its progress report. Present in the delegation were Mr. Xu Deli, Senior Advisor of Guangdong Province and Mr. Liang Daoxing, Vice-Mayor of Shenzhen and President of the LOC Executive Bureau. ‘The past seven months the preparatory work went smoothly', Mr. Huang Guoqiang, Executive Director-General of the LOC Executive Bureau said. ‘The organisation of the Shenzhen Universiade embodies a new feature with a three-level organization structure which includes the OC, the Executive Board and the Executive Office. A guideline involving the whole city, ‘Action Guideline for Shenzhen to Welcome the 26th Summer Universiade', was formulated by the Shenzhen Municipal Government and will guide the Universiade preparations for the coming years. Meanwhile the venues are being planned and constructed according to high standards. The proposed optional sports programs have obtained the approval and support of the Central Government. The OC is now trying to introduce some key prospective partners into the marketing of the Shenzhen Universiade.' The OC also presented no less than 11 optional sports for the approval of the FISU EC which they did.' 

The second day of the EC Meeting ended with a FISU Press conference and a meeting between FISU President Killian and H.E. Mr. Zhou Ji, the Minister of Education of China and Honorary President of the Harbin OC. Interesting detail, both the Minister and the FISU President have a PhD degree from Buffalo University.

Tomorrow the EC Members will travel to the Yabuli Ski Resort with the Fast Train for an on site inspection visit.