In this next interview series on The Road to Lucerne 2021, we work our way through the delegations of the countries that are in the process of organising the next FISU World University Games. After beginning with the Christophe Böcklin, Head of the Swiss delegation for Lucerne 2021, it is with great pleasure that we introduce you to Laura Yan (pictured left), Delegation Official for the Chinese delegation.
Laura Yan, Director of International Cooperation and Exchanges as well as Media and Communication at the Federation of University Sports of China (FUSC), also serves as the main point of contact between the Chinese delegation, FISU and the Lucerne 2021 Organising Committee. She plays a vital role in making sure all the information is available to the Chinese delegation and shares valuable information with the organisers as well.
Her 16 years of experience with FUSC has equipped her with valuable all-round knowledge of the University Sports environment and she has participated in a large variety of FISU events. From the summer and winter editions of previous FISU World University Games, FISU Championships and FISU World Cups to the FISU World Form, she participated not only as a member of delegation, but also as an interpreter for the delegation, and accompanied her boss to help with his responsibilities.
“I love the feeling of doing something for the youth and for the team,” Laura expresses. “Seeing the student-athletes, the coaches and other officials gain something from the FISU events really gives me a sense that my hard work and my efforts are worthwhile. I feel that we grow and progress all together and I love this kind of feeling, it really encourages me to do better in the future.”
Preparing a team for a FISU World University Game is no easy task, especially in the midst of a pandemic. Laura had only just come back from her maternity leave at the end of 2019, after giving birth to her daughter, when Covid-19 reared its ugly head. “I was full of expectations and anticipation,” Laura says, “but unfortunately Covid-19 broke my dreams and I think it broke the dreams of a lot of people who were looking forward to this great event.”
This exceptional situation has changed the way the organisers as well as the delegations have had to prepare for the Lucerne 2021 Winter Universiade. “The main challenge for me is the pandemic situation,” Laura adds. “As FISU said on several occasions, the safety of youth, staff and all involved in FISU events are a top priority and it is the same for us. There are so many uncertainties that are out of our control, and we are worried about that. We cannot be certain to know whether we can bring our full team to Lucerne and back to China safely, and it’s a huge responsibility.”
But this has not dampened Laura’s motivation for the Lucerne 2021 Winter Universiade and has even brought out a sense of inspiration and strength in her: “I never doubted the organisers’ capacity to prepare for the Lucerne Universiade. After attending the virtual HoD meeting in June, I can say that I admire their efficiency and dedication, and I firmly believe that FISU and the Organising Committee will provide us with a splendid event.”
“Given the special circumstances that we are facing, Lucerne 2021 will be a special edition,” the Delegation Official adds. “There is a Chinese poem that describes four kinds of happiness in life: seasonable rain after a long drought, reunion with an old friend in a foreign land, getting married with the beloved, and being the very best in a national competition. For me, the Lucerne Universiade will bring those kinds of feelings. When the Lucerne 2021 Winter Universiade takes place, it means that our lives can come back to somewhat of a normality after a long period of isolation, loneliness, and helplessness. We learnt from the pandemic how to cherish and respect our lives, health, friendships, and the world we live in. With all this in mind, I believe that the Lucerne Universiade will be a very special moment that we can all be part of.”
Behind the feelings of joy, inspiration, and excitement there is a lot of hard work that is put in. This is not only the case for the preparations of the event itself, but for the preparations that are currently happening all around the globe in putting together the best student-athlete teams that each nation can send to compete in Switzerland.
“For the Chinese delegation, FUSC has done a great job for the preparations. During the winter, FUSC conducted qualifying tournaments to select the teams and student-athletes for the Lucerne Universiade,” says Laura. “China is still young when it comes to university winter sports. What FUSC does is to encourage more universities to support winter sports and provide a platform for students who love winter sports. This is also a national strategy: ‘encouraging 300 million people to enjoy winter sports’. We have done our best to prepare, now let’s go and see.”
“I would like to give my thanks again to FISU and the Organising Committee of Lucerne 2021, for their professionalism, their expertise and, above all, their commitment and dedication,” concludes Laura Yan. “I wish the best of Luck to Lucerne and hope everyone stays healthy. Expect the reunion of FISU family.”
