Today, June 30th, as it has become a tradition, FISU and the Universiade host staged their joint press conference one day prior to the official Opening Ceremony of the 25th Summer Universiade.
FISU President Killian was generally satisfied with the outcome of the preparations and applauded the OC for the work done in the last months before the Games. ‘When I visited the city sports center ‘DIF’ two months ago I thought it to be the worst place I had ever been to. When I returned to DIF again a couple of days ago, I saw something I could hardly believe my eyes. In only a few weeks DIF has been completely revamped. I was given a promise and the promise was kept. If I were a university professor I would give our hosts A plus’, Mr. Killian said.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia and President of the UB2009 Organization Committee, Bozidar Djelic said that the Universiade is a reflection of Serbia. ‘It doesn’t mean that this Universiade will be inferior to previous Universiades. I believe that we can do better with less money. We thank FISU officials for understanding our situation, because their understanding has saved us six million Euros we would have otherwise spent on the Opening Ceremony. I would like to point out that the organization of the Universiade has once again brought to the fore proverbial Serbian resourcefulness.’
Mr. Djelic also informed the media representatives that athletes were delighted with the quality of the accommodation in the Athletes’ Village. ‘Our guests are students from the four corners of the world. They are satisfied with the quality of the accommodation. I know that because I visit the Village every day’, the Deputy PM said. ‘Fifty sports venues have been reconstructed, two new sports halls have been built, one in Smederevo, one in Zrenjanin, while the athletic track in Marakana, equal to the one in Athens, is unique in this part of Europe.’
The Universiade in Belgrade will be officially opened on July 1st in the Belgrade Arena. The Opening Ceremony will be preceded by a parade of all participants. ‘The opening ceremony will be a chance for citizens of Belgrade to see the whole world in one place. We are inviting our citizens to come and see what we have created. The images from the Universiade Opening Ceremony will be broadcast worldwide. The Opening Ceremony was prepared by Serbian students. It will be a spectacle worth seeing’, Mr. Djelic added.
The equipment used in the 25th Summer Universiade Opening and Closing ceremonies, after the Universiade, will be given to a multimedia center where young people will be given a chance to show their creativity.
FISU President George E. Killian
Deputy PM Djelic and AIPS President Gianni Merlo