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Flags – More than just National Symbols

Summer Games 9 July 2015

 

 

GWANGJU – Flags are an essential part of the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade. The flags of Korea and FISU were hoisted during the Opening Ceremony and flags of all participating nations were carried into the stadium by designated flag bearers at the march pass. Flags also decorate the little pins athletes and other delegation members exchange from nation to nation. And flags are used by fans during competitions and athletes after competitions to show their national pride.

On the last day of the fencing competition at Kimdaejung Convention Centre flags were used in a different way. At the supporters area near the fan entrance volunteers were giving away flags of all nations for free.

During the last days weve been giving away single flags just to supporters who wanted to show their spirit for a certain team. But on the very last day of the competition we decided to give them away for free to all fans who want to have some, explains manager Wonsik Han. Its not easy to collect all of them so we wanted to do people a favour.

Fans, athletes, volunteers, and staff members were waiting in line to collect their colourful bunch. But also young kids who visited the competition with their parents were able to get in touch with some flags they had never seen before. For Han it’s a good way to use the flags that have not been distributed:

Kids are the future generation. We want to provide them with an opportunity to learn about all the countries who are participating in the Universiade. One day they might want to visit some of these countries. Thats why we try to encourage them to learn about the nations.

The educational use of flags at the Gwangju Universiade – another way to adopt the FISU slogan ‘Excellence in Mind and Body’.

 

Max Länge (GER), FISU Young Reporter