LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – The Adirondack Sports Council hosted a virtual Town Hall to announce the progress being made toward the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games. The village of Lake Placid and the Adirondack region will host the winter edition of the flagship FISU multi-sport event in January 2023.
The virtual meeting was streamed on the Adirondack Sport Council’s YouTube channel and area residents were able to participate, view, listen in and even ask questions. The meeting, that included many video presentations, highlighted the global scale of the Games and their potential economic impact on the region.
Through a video message, FISU President Oleg Matytsin reminded viewers about the ‘Miracle on Ice’ ice hockey final that was contested between the United States and the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
“Different people have different perceptions of the Miracle on Ice!” Matytsin said with humour, referring to the result in 1980 when the United States team upset the heavily favoured four-time defending champion Russians.
“But there is one thing we can all agree on,” he continued. “That forty years ago, that winning team was made up mainly of young university athletes. And when university athletes come together to play winter sport in Lake Placid, they can achieve remarkable things. Miraculous things.”
“The recent months have been hard on college sport,” added Matytsin. “You continue to show great courage in the face of these difficulties. And I hope that the World University Games in 2023 can provide a measure of hope, a reason to look ahead in the months and years to come.”
The Lake Placid virtual Town Hall hosted by Ashley Walden, Executive Director of Adirondack Sports Council and Chris Carroll, Head of Marketing, Sponsorship and Communication. Sustainability is a major focus for the Lake Placid 2023 Organising Committee, something that Craig Randall, Mayor of Lake Placid stressed upon.
“Our residents are very interested in this event. Most people will find out that the World University Games are not only about sport but there is a strong cultural aspect as well and we will be interested in sharing some issues that are important to us, such as environmental issues,” said Mayor Randall. “We have a lot to look forward to. It’ll be an exciting time for everybody.”
As the largest university winter multi-sport competition in the world, the FISU World University Games bring more than 2,500 athletes along with coaches and officials to the hosting region. The potential impact of hosting these Games was clearly elucidated by New York State Senator Betty Little, who has been the representative of the Adirondacks for 25 years.
“No matter where I go, whenever I talk about my district, I mention the village of Lake Placid and people know exactly what my district is like,” said Little. “Lake Placid is the winter sports capital of the United States and one of the winter sports capitals of the world. This is where the Olympics have taken place twice. It is important to know that as we go forward, we take our history with us. At the same time, we need to be relevant today. Up-to-date and state-of-the-art venues help us attract events like World Cups and the FISU World University Games. It’s an economic engine for all of the North Country.”
At the 2023 Games, student-athletes will compete in twelve sports throughout the North Country and Adirondack region, including alpine and nordic skiing, ski jumping, nordic combined, biathlon, curling, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, short track and speed skating and snowboarding.
Dan Stec, member of the New York State Assembly said he was excited about the 2023 Games.
“What a wonderful venue where miracles happen,” Stec said during the Town Hall, that was held at the historic ‘Miracle on Ice’ rink at the Olympic Center’s Herb Brooks Arena. “It is a gorgeous part of our country and 2023 will be an opportunity to showcase this to so many new people that will come to visit our region. It will be great for athletes and great for local businesses.”
The Town Hall session can be viewed on the official Lake Placid 2023 website: www.lakeplacid2023.com.
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