The International Day of University Sport #LetsIDUS and the European Week of Sport #BeActive were celebrated across Europe (and the world) this September, and the European University Sports Association (EUSA) joined the celebrations not only by promoting these campaigns, but also through organising events and engagement in sports activities.



September 20 is the official commemorative day of the International Day of University Sport (IDUS), proclaimed by the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO) on the proposal of the International University Sport Federation (FISU). The day helps create links between universities and their local communities with sport, physical activity and healthy living. IDUS represents a platform to exchange ideas, best practices, challenges and opportunities within and through university sport worldwide.



This year, FISU also encourages participants to take part in the activities by taking part in the #ColourIDUS2021 global photo challenge contest, having a chance to win an awesome media kit.



The European Week of Sport (EWOS) is celebrated in Europe between September 23 and 30, encourages everyone to #BeActive, regardless of their age, social background or fitness level, also through special ambassadors. This year, the existing campaign has been enriched by a #HealthyLifestyle4All initiative, promoting the mental and physical benefits of a healthy lifestyle for all generations and social groups.



Reflecting the diverse situation across the continent and the world, also the celebrations varied, with live and online activities commemorating the day, with events ranging from group sports and educational events, to individual challenges.



EUSA, in cooperation with local hosts organised two educational events in September: the EUSA-FISU Strategic Dialogue in Budapest, Hungary, and the EUSA-EUG2022 Convention in Lodz, Poland.



Apart of the educational events, the 2021 editions of IDUS and EWOS were celebrated by organising and participating in sports activities in Lodz, including #LetsIDUS #BeActive morning runs.



In Poland, this was done together with EUGenio, the mascot of the European Universities Games 2022, and the participants were also able to take part in sport climbing.



EUSA Office staff also had an active afternoon in Ljubljana, with a city walk and doing the SLOfit physical health battery testing at the Faculty of Sport at the University of Ljubljana.



EUSA invites all members and partners to join the movement and commemorate these initiatives in their own way. If you send us a short report with some photos, we will try to include it in our overview of activities, to be published towards the end of October.

For more information, please visit the dedicated websites of FISU and the European Commission.