2015 Gwangju Universiade hit the D-700 mark, sets in full preparation mode

The global sports festival for university students, the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade has hit the D-700 mark. After receiving the Universiade flag at the closing of the 2013 Kazan Universiade, Gwangju has officially started its countdown as the next host city.

Gwangju Universiade is putting its efforts to host a successful and exemplary competition by forming a joint Korean team at the games, as well as creating a surplus event by attracting national and international sponsors, preparing basic infrastructures such as competition venues, and organizing friendly and organized volunteers.

The organizing committee will be putting its collective effort in the formation of a joint Korean team for the first time in the history of multi-sporting events, in line with the peace concept, one of the four EPIC concepts that Gwangju Universiade aspires to achieve (EPIC- Environment, Peace, IT, Culture).

2015 Gwangju Universiade Organizing Committee (hereafter GUOC 2015) and UNOSDP signed a joint project agreement, including the formation of a joint Korean team, in July, 2012, and has received the official approval to form a joint team from FISU (International University Sports Federation) last month. Also, UN Special Advisor of Sports, Wilfried Lemke, visited North Korea and was successful in receiving a positive response to his invitation for the participation of North Korean youths at the YLP being held in Gwangju, this year.

* YLP (Youth Leadership Program) – An education program organized by GUOC and UNOSDP for youths from conflicting areas and developing countries, to train them to be professionals in sports development and peace

In addition, to reduce the financial burden of Gwangju, GUOC will unfold activities in targeting domestic and international companies to become active sponsors of the games. By securing as many sponsors as possible, GUOC aims to reduce the operating costs and hereby create a surplus event.

Construction of basic infrastructures, such as competition venues and athletes’ village, is being processed according to schedule. The venues that will be used for 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade include the 3 newly constructed competition venues, the Gwangju Universiade Swimming Pool, a multi-purpose gymnasium, an archery, and 34 stadiums and 39 training facilities that will be used after renovations. The process for the newly constructed swimming pool and multi-purpose gymnasium are finished 7% and 6% respectively.

Also, the Athletes’ village, which is being carried out in a reconstruction method for the first time in history, has recorded 21.6% integrated process currently.

GUOC and Gwangju volunteer center have been working together since last February with the goal of training 120,000 volunteers, who can be regarded as one of the most significant factors for the success of the games. They have jointly held volunteer education programs for 30 jobs in 10 different fields, while also conducting Universiade language schools from 2010 in languages such as English, Chinese, Japanese, French, and Spanish. They have managed to carry out language education for more than 11,000 people, which will surely be the first step in preparations for an international event.

For the opening and closing ceremony, which will signal the start and finale of the event, GUOC plans to receive direction from experts in order to create an elegant and distinctive performance, well-portraying the Korean traditional culture while expressing the unity and friendship of the Universiade, and make it the highlight of the international festival. In order to accomplish a successful opening and closing ceremony, the GUOC will appoint an advisory committee by the end of this month, choose a general director in October, and select an event production agency by November.

Meanwhile, the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade will be held for 12 days from July 3rd to 14th, 2015, and 20,000 participants from 170 countries are expected to take part in 21 sports events.

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