FISU celebrated the international university sports achievements in Gwangju, Republic of Korea, at a special FISU Reception and Gala on June 2, a day prior the opening of the Summer Universiade. A number of awards were presented at the event, which also featured a variety of traditional, as well as modern Korean cultural and artistic performances.

After the initial traditional Korean dance act, FISU President Mr Claude-Louis Gallien opened the event, welcoming over 600 guests and award recipients. Also the President of the Gwangju Organising Committee Mr Kim Hwangsik addressed the attendees and welcomed them to the City of Lights.



The Award for the Best World University Championship was given to the Organizers of the 2014 World University Beach Volleyball Championship in Porto (POR). The International Ski Federation (FIS) was honoured with the Best International Sport Federation Award. The Russian Students Sport Union (RSSU) received the award for the best National University Sport Federation. The award for best project promoting FISU was the Lausanne in Motion (SUI) and Eurosport received the Best media partner award. Special recognition was presented for Mr Sandor Tarics and the Hungarian University Sports Federation (HUSF). In the category of best athletes the Russian figure skating pair Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov, and the individual category Fabian Hambuchen from Germany were attributed the awards. Last award the FISU Fair Play Award went to the Gwangju Universiade Organising Committee.



During the event, presentations were also made by the Organising Committees of the next Universiades. The Gala featured also the World music performance, pop-opera performance, piano and orchestra of lights shows, with the final act of the fusion orchestra. A banquet followed and concluded the Gala.



In the morning of the same day, the International University Sports Federation also hosted the traditional FISU Press Conference prior to the Opening. At the press conference Mr Claude-Louis Gallien, FISU President Mr Eric Saintrond, FISU Secretary General and Mr Kim Yoon-Suk, Secretary General of the Gwangju Organising Committee summarised the legacy projects, reasons of why the Universiade has been attributed to Gwangju and presented the main highlights of the 28th Summer Universiade.



Over 8.000 athletes will compete in 21 sports, and have a chance to enjoy the University Games not just in sports, but also through cultural, educational and social events. More than 150 hours of TV coverage, thanks to Eurosport and other major media partners, will be broadcast, along with FISU live streaming, giving competitors an important opportunity to show to the world their skills and magnitude of the Universiade.



At the press conference, also the third edition of the FISU Young Reporters Programme has been introduced, featuring 12 international and 12 local young reporters. Mentors Christian Pierre, FISU Press Officer and Mr Andrej Pisl, EUSA Communications and Projects Manager, also a member of the FISU Media and Communications Commission, will assist the young journalists to improve their skills and competence and contribute to the growth of the media attention to the Universiades.