LAUSANNE – Hardly a week ago, 204 participants from 49 countries worldwide representing all continents gathered for the 13th FISU Forum in the French city of Montpellier to discuss the future of university sport and education. It was a happy gathering full of hope and in great spirits.
Hardly a few days later, our welcoming Forum host country was hit hard by a deadly attack, another disgusting act of terrorism which came at the moment of pride and dignity for the French nation, the Bastille day.
Today all our thoughts and prayers are with victims, their families and the people of France.
We rise against this blinding violence that has as sole objective to divide the citizens of the world, to spread hatred and the rejection of others.
FISU and the international university sports movement will continue to defend, as it has ever been, the values of tolerance, friendship and peaceful exchanges between all nations without any distinction.
Oleg Matytsin,
FISU President