Claude-Julien Gallien (left) and Sergio Anesi (right) shake hands at the conclusion of today’s press conference (photo by Toby Fisher)
TRENTO – FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien and Sergio Anesi, President of Trentino 2013 Winter Universiade OC, held a joint press conference where they both hailed the excellent job done to get the games ready.
“We have worked very hard,” Anesi said. “We are proud to host this big event.”
After the Slovenian city of Maribor pulled out of hosting the event last year, FISU set out to find a replacement host to hold the games. Rather than the usual six-year period, Trentino had only 18 months to get ready.
“It took courage and ability to organize this event in one and a half years,” Gallien said. “There will be great success in Trentino.”
Gallien believes that Trentino hosting the event bodes well for the future of sport in Italy.
“Having the games here in the City of Trentino, and in the country of Italy…it is a very good investment,” he said.
Over 6,000 accreditations have been assigned, with over 2,000 volunteers, nearly 3,000 athletes and close to 250 media members among others taking in the games. 52 counties are represented from over 800 universities in the 12 sport disciplines.
“We are sure we will be successful in hosting this event,” Anesi said.
Matt Tidcombe, FISU Young Reporter