Universiade venues on time for early 2011 trials
FISU President George E.Killian
Liang Daoxing, vice president of the Executive Committee and Director-General of the Universiade Executive Office
Eric Saintrond, FISU Secretary-General & CEO
Marc Vandenplas, Director of Summer Universiade
All the 22 new sports venues for the 2011 Universiade will be completed by the end of this year and go into trial operation at the beginning of next year, a report on preparations for the 26th Summer Universiade revealed on September 23rd.
Six out of 22 new venues had already been completed, while the rest would be finished on schedule by the end of this year, Liang Daoxing, vice president of the Executive Committee and Director-General of the Universiade Executive Office, told George Killian, president of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), yesterday. Technical officials of the FISU Summer Universiade will be invited to inspect the venues. Other preparations for the Universiade had also gone smoothly, including the preparation of facilities and equipment, urban improvements and negotiations with Hong Kong over visa issues, the report said.
Shenzhen had sent out official invitations to 201 countries and regions by Aug. 12, of which 24 had confirmed their intention to participate in the event next year.
Beijing University would hold the torch-lighting ceremony and Qinghua University in Beijing would be the first leg of the torch relay, the report said.
Around 60,000 residents have applied to volunteer for the games so far, and other preparations have been making steady progress, Liang said.
“The city is now focusing on urban improvements to create a beautiful environment for the Universiade. Five Metro lines will also open next year to make for a more convenient transportation system. The Shenzhen government and residents are all looking forward to the opening of the Universiade and are fully prepared to present a grand Universiade to the world,” Vice Mayor Lu Ruifeng said at a meeting with Killian and Eric Saintrond, secretary-general of FISU, and other FISU officials on September 23rd.
“I am very impressed by the preparations for the Universiade in Shenzhen and very confident that the Universiade held in Shenzhen next year will be a successful and grand event,” Killian said.
Source： Official Website Editor： 王佳