Twelve riveting days of university sport action eventually came to an end on Sunday evening, July 14, as the curtain fell on a memorable 30th FISU Summer Universiade in Napoli, Italy.

Over 35 000 spectators packed into the sold-out San Paolo Stadium for the colourful Closing Ceremony, as the vibrant performances on show paid tribute to the athletes and volunteers that made the Games a resounding success.

Over 6000 athletes from 127 countries took part in 18 different sports at the Games, with Japan topping the overall medal table with 33 gold medals and 82 medals in total. Joining Japan with 82 medals in total was Russia, who claimed 22 gold medals, the same as third-placed China, with a total of 24 universiade records broken in Napoli.



The best-placed European nations were hosts Italy, who ended sixth overall with 15 gold medals and 44 medals in total, followed by Ukraine in 11th place with four golds, the same as 12th-placed Poland.

After the ceremonial passing of the Universiade flag from Napoli to 2021 hosts Chengdu and the extinguishing of the flame, the Closing Ceremony concluded with a festive party for all in attendance, who were able to enjoy the Summer Universiade spirit for one final evening in Italy.



Napoli 2019 Commissioner Gianluca Basile announced the city’s pride at being able to host such a prestigious event, while acknowledging the positive influence it will have on Napoli in years to come.

“It has been our great pleasure to host the world’s best university athletes in the Campana region,” Mr Basile said. “We are proud to add the Summer Universiade to the long and prestigious list of major sporting events hosted by Italy.

“I would like to mention of the exceptional professionalism of Universiade volunteers. It is you who showed the best side of Napoli and who helped make these games a reality. With FISU, with the staff and the volunteers, we all worked together – all of the Campania Region – for its benefit, today and into the future.”



With FISU celebrating it’s 70th anniversary this year, FISU President Mr Oleg Matytsin said he could not be happier with how the special milestone was celebrated in Italy, home of the first Summer Universiade 60 years ago.

“Celebrating our 70th anniversary, we wanted to make Napoli 2019 truly unique,” Mr Matytsin said. “The passion and enthusiasm from the city of Napoli has made sure that we have achieved our goal. I want to thank everyone, from the athletes and volunteers to the organisers and public authorities for creating such a special Universiade.”

The next edition of the Winter Universiade will take place in Lucerne, Switzerland, from 21-31 January 2021, while the 31st summer edition will be hosted by Chengdu, China, from 8-19 August 2021.