EUSA begins European Week of Sport in style
To mark the official start of the 2020 #BeActive European Week of Sport, the European University Sports Association (EUSA) organised and participated in a European Fitness Badge Test before joining the FISU family in attempting the global Cheerleading Challenge.
The European Week of Sport, which runs annually from September 23-30, is a week-long event which encourages millions of people across the world to live better, healthier lives, while in Slovenia, September 23 was also declared the National Day of Sport.
To mark the occasion, while also continuing the International Day of University Sport (IDUS) activities from earlier in the week, the EUSA Office based in Ljubljana, Slovenia organised a European Fitness Badge Test, in cooperation with the Centre for extracurricular activities of the University of Ljubljana and the Student dormitories Ljubljana, facilitated by the Sport Union of Slovenia and supported also by the Slovenian Olympic Committee.
EUSA staff and volunteers, as well as interested university students took part in the day’s activity, overseen by a certified instructor, while observing all safety and distance protocols amid the current global pandemic.
All participants present were measured before taking part in seven different physical exercises to test strength, flexibility and endurance. Activities included a step test, stretching, jumping, balancing, push-ups, walking backwards and planking.
All participants will receive a certificate for their participation in the test, along with their individual results.
Following the fitness test, the EUSA Office, under the guidance of the Frogs Cheer Team Slovenia, stepped out of their comfort zone and had some fun in their attempt at the global FISU Cheerleading Challenge, embracing the unique sport with lots of smiles and laughter while commemorating #BeActive #LetsIDUS #MyEUSA in style.
The European Week of Sport officially got underway with the online opening event, hosted in Frankfurt, Germany, and streamed on TV and online. A number of high-profile speakers welcomed everyone to the sixth edition of the event, and a special message was received also by the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Mr Thomas Bach.
The opening event showcased local initiatives in the City of Frankfurt and other cities in Germany, and also demonstrated the activities through the entertainment programme. The ceremony also featured ambassadors among which was also Mr Fabian Hambuechen, Olympic and Universiade medallist, 2015 recipient of the FISU Best Male Athlete Award.
The event was officially opened by the EU Commissioner responsible for Sport Ms Mariya Gabriel, via video address.
Several European Week of Sport activities will be taking place across the continent in the coming week, including an online Presidency Conference on September 24, a #BeActive-Night on September 26, and plenty of local activities during the week.
For more information about the European Week of Sport, please visit ec.europa.eu/sport/week_en.