For this month's student column a member of the EUSA Student Commission and President of a National University Sports Association reflects on the importance of Universiades, as the largest international university sport events.

The participation in a Universiade is a key moment in the career of any athlete, in particular by the singularity of an event that on the one hand has several world champions and Olympic medalists, but that on the other has place for athletes who seek to make the jump to the world of professionalism and titles at the highest level.

It is to this extent that the International University Sports Federation (FISU) should continue to develop an effort among the international sports federations to demonstrate that university sport should be a key element in the athletic career of all athletes.



It is therefore important that FISU and the Organizing Committees involved continue to work not only to make their sports events better, but also at the legacy level, in order to avoid financial problems for the organizing country and to turn the infrastructures useful to the citizens and students.

Portugal was left out of the recent Winter Universiade in Almaty, but the presence of its Executive Committee was key in preparing the 2019 mission, where we want to be present. For the Summer Universiade, FADU's commitment is strong and demonstrated by the leadership of the Portuguese delegation, led by Susana Feitor, a medalist at the 2001 Universiade and an Olympic athlete. Portugal wants to take one of the strongest committees ever and above all a retinue that honors and is proud of its sport.



The author of this students’ column is Daniel Monteiro, President of the Portuguese Academic Federation of University Sport (FADU) and member of the EUSA Student Commission, student of Management at the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon.

Are you a student with an opinion? We are looking for new contributors for our student column every month. Feel free to contact stc@eusa.eu to offer a piece or propose a topic.