The first Olympic Games hosted in South America concluded with the closing ceremony yesterday. The Games in Rio de Janeiro, which opened on August 5, brought together over 11.000 athletes from 2015 countries and territories, competing in 42 sports disciplines. Among the top athletes were also many active university students, and those who have been engaged in university sport in the past.

We are especially happy and proud to have witnessed Fabian Hambuechen from Germany receive gold medal in artistic gymnastics. This student athlete who received medals at the past Universiades, was named FISU Best Male Athlete in 2015 and received the FISU Scholarships 2015-16 on the proposal of the German University Sports Federation (ADH) and EUSA.



On the invitation of the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Mr Thomas Bach, the President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Mr Oleg Matytsin visited Rio, attending the IOC Session, the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, and the first three days of the Games. FISU President also visited the Olympic Village and the Olympic Park, and held meetings with key Olympic stakeholders.



Rio will also host the Paralympics between September 7 and 18, focusing on athletes with disabilities and impairments.

European University Sports Association (EUSA) congratulates all student athletes who successfully combine their academic and sports careers and wishes them successful continuation of their dual careers, and is happy to see university sport being recognised as a stakeholder in sport for all, as well as in top sport.