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2017 WU: FISU Press Conference

FISU 28 January 2017

 

ALMATY – Today, 28 January, one day prior to the official Opening Ceremony of the 28th Winter Universiade in Almaty, Kazakhstan, FISU staged its traditional press conference. Attending the press conference as speakers were FISU President Oleg Matytsin and FISU Secretary General/CEO Eric Saintrond. They were joined by Nail Nurov, General Director of the Organising Committee and Sagadiyev Didar, OC Secretary General.

FISU President Matytsin

FISU President Matytsin was very pleased with the preparations of the Organising Committee. “We never came as supervisors”, the President said. “Both FISU and the OC work together as one team.” Mr. Matytsin also pointed out the new delegation participation record. “57 nations are registered to participate,” said the President. “A record number!”

The FISU President is confident the Winter Universiade once again will be a celebration of youth and Kazakhstan will be the perfect host. “We raise the future leaders through sport and we want students to feel the atmosphere of hospitality and kindness of Kazakhstan. This project will be without any doubt a successful one.”

FISU SG/CEO Saintrond

FISU Secretary General/CEO Eric Saintrond confirmed the worldwide scope of the Winter University. “Besides student-athletes from the traditional winter countries, we also have the best athletes from countries that are not necessary associated with snow and ice. We have a snowboarder from Uganda, skiers from Argentina and Afghanistan, a cross-country skier from Brazil, a figure skater from Mexico …” He also notified the attending press about the extensive media coverage of the Winter Universiade and praised the volunteers. “They are all fantastic young people who are doing a tremendous important job.” Mr. Saintrond was also impressed by the Athletes’ Village. “This is the best Athletes’ Village we ever had, the look, the services, and afterwards it will become a housing project, hence a fantastic legacy of the Universiade.”

Nail NurovMr. Nail Nurov confirmed the OC worked hard to make a success of the Almaty Winter Universiade and with hosting this FISU event they are putting the city and country on the map. “Kazakhstan is proud that we are a sport country. In 2016 we celebrated 25 years of independence and during all these years we were active players on the international sport arena. Our goal was to become a sport centre of the region.”

After the press conference the FISU President gave some more short interviews and also visited the TV Studio of Kazakhstan TV for a longer interview.

 

C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer