The stage is set in the City of Angels for the 24th Universiade, where 10,200 athletes from 151 countries will vie for 236 gold medals in 15 disciplines.
Published on August 1, 2007
Bangkok was selected in 2003 by the International University Sports Federation (Fisu) to host the Universiade, the equivalent to Olympic Games for international universities, between August 8 and 18.
Athletics, aquatic sports (swimming, diving and water polo), badminton, basketball, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, judo, shooting, softball, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and volleyball feature in the 11-day meet.
Thirty-six venues – including Thammasat Rangsit Sports Complex, the Sports Authority of Thailand, the Supachalasai National Stadium, the Thai-Japan Youth Welfare Centre and the Royal Thai Army Stadium – will serve as the battlegrounds for the Universiade.
The first gold medal of the meet will be presented in the women’s 20km walk, which starts at 6.30am in Ayutthaya on August 9. Thanaporn Piamsakul will carry Thai hopes in the event.
HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana and 388 other athletes will represent the hosts, who have set a modest target of 10 gold medals from badminton, tennis, gymnastics, taekwondo, athletics and women’s volleyball. They hope to get their first gold in either the men’s or the women’s 4x100m relay event on the first day.
The Thai delegation returned from Izmir, Turkey, two years ago with three medals in taekwondo.
Russia captured 26 golds to take the overall title. Two-time champions China (21 gold) and Japan (18) took the second and third places.
His Majesty the King has designated HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to present the Royal Flame to the organising committee at Sukhothai Palace today. The torch run will last until the official opening ceremony. HRH Princess Sirivannavari, who is studying at Chulalongkorn University, will light the cauldron at the Rajamangala National Stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies will be held on August 8 and 18 respectively.
The highlight will be a spectacular show to honour HM the King with photographic images via a giant projector and more than 7,000 students arranging themselves into various formations.
Preechachan Wiriyanupappong
The Nation