Prior to the opening of the 28th Summer Universiade in Gwangju, the Executive Committee of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) met on a two-day meeting on June 30 and July 1, 2015, in Gwangju, South Korea. EUSA, the European University Sports Association, is an associated member of FISU, and was represented by its President Mr Adam Roczek.

The participants were welcomed by Mr Yoon Janghyun, the Mayor of Gwangju and Co-Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Universiade. FISU President Mr Claude-Louis Gallien thanked the Mayor and presented his report, recalling this year’s Winter Universiade and highlighting the importance of flexibility. He also gave an overview of the upcoming 28th Gwangju Universiade and shared his vision of the future FISU events. New areas will be possibility of introducing competitions for student-athletes with disabilities and cooperation with the International School Sport Federation. FISU President ended his report presenting the changes in statutes and internal regulations.



FISU Treasurer Mr Bayasgalan Danzandorj presented an assessment of the financial situation and Secretary General Mr Eric Saintrond presented in more details the management and recent activities of the organisation, preparation for the Universiade and an update of the future FISU events.

The floor was then given to the delegates of the Gwangju Universiade Organizing Committee to give a detailed progress report of the 28th Summer Universiade, which will officially begin on July 3. Under the direction of Mr Kim Hwang-Sik, President of GUOC, all aspects of the organisation were discussed. Already over 2500 participants from 41 countries have arrived and got accredited. Over 12.000 participants are expected to take part at this year’s event.



Chairs of the Commissions presented their reports, including Mrs Alison Odell presenting activities and plans of the Education Services Committee, Mr Stefan Bergh on Committee for University Sports Development, Mrs Rosaura Mendez on Committee for Gender Equality, Mrs Verena Burk on the Media and Communication Committee. Dr. Lawrence Rink, Chair of the International Medical Committee, also reflecting the latest MERS threats and measures undertaken to minimise any risks.

A tribute was also paid to the organisers of the 2015 Winter Universiade which was first organized on two different sites, Strbske Pleso/Osrblie, Slovakia and Granada, Spain, hosting 2.428 participants coming from 42 countries to compete in 11 sports. Special diplomas were presented by FISU 1st Vice-President Mr Oleg Matytsin, thanking the Executive Committee members for the support of the past edition of the event.



The focused then turned on the future Universiades and World University Championships. Representatives of the Taipei City 2017 Summer Universiade Organising Committee presented a progress report, as well as the Almaty 2017 Winter Universiade. The delegates of the Krasnoyarsk 2019 Winter Games came next.

Finally, the World University Championships Department gave an overview of the 2014 WUC season and the next editions in 2016, as well as giving an overview on the biddings for 2018 which is still open until this September. From 2016 Championships onwards, FISU will also start an international volunteer programme at these events.