Entering a New Era
‘Chinese people have an organizing committee to put on a very, very professional and well-organized Universiade. Everything you have done has been positive.’ Those were the exact words of FISU President George E. Killian at his final press conference during the 21st Summer Universiade, which was held in Beijing, China from August 22nd to September 1st., 2001.
Unforgettable Experience The 21st Summer Universiade was indeed an unforgettable experience for all the participants. It was the Universiade of the superlatives: biggest number of participants (6,757), of participating countries (165), of volunteers (more than 40,000), of records broken (more than 20) etc. Since it was the first time in history that China hosted a multi-sports event of this magnitude it seemed the Chinese, in casu the people of Beijing, wanted to show the world what they were capable of, especially with their successful bid to stage the Summer Olympics in 2008 in mind. And they did. They put together an incredible show during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, built a top notch Athletes’ Village, modernized more than fifty venues and constructed seven new.