Gwangju Universiade holds trial performance for award ceremony

The Gwangju Universiade Organizing Committee (GUOC) held a mock award ceremony and relevant on-the-job training on May 6 at the international conference hall of Kwangju Women's University.

The event was planned to drive people's interest in the Universiade and to enhance the staff's ability to operate during the actual Universiade ceremonies.

The committee officials including the Sports Division Director General Keum Gi-hyung spoke in front of 400 participants including 200 students from the university and volunteers. The training was focused on the precedents of past international award ceremonies, Universiade ceremony planning, and uniform and grooming standards.

A trial award ceremony followed the training. Three national flags for the winners were hoisted, and athletes entered the ceremonial hall assisted by the awarding staff. The official FISU anthem was played as a gold medal was bestowed upon the first place winner. The staff members presented the winners with a Nuribi (Gwangu Universiade mascot) doll instead of a flower bouquet. The ceremony ended as the athletes exited the hall with the background music.

The awarding staff's uniform in particular caught the attention with its dynamic and elegant style.

What is as noteworthy was the efforts the GUOC had placed for "Low Cost and High Efficiency" of the award ceremony. Over 800 million won (704,000 US dollars) was saved through receiving key ceremony equipment from the Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee and cutting down on design expenses for the Universiade medals.

In the meantime, the Gwangju Universiade medalists will receive a Nuribi doll instead of a flower bouquet to enhance the Universiade experience.

A total of 272 award ceremonies will take place during the Gwangju Universiade from July 4 to 14 at 19 different venues for the finals. Around 400 people will work as supporters, flag bearers, awarding personnel and make-up artists for the ceremonies.

The awarding staff will receive training every Saturday in May, according to the GUOC. The next month, they will be dispatched to each stadium for the finals to get familiarized with the real setting of the ceremony.

"All the staff members for the awarding ceremony are expected to play a significant role in the Universiade, with great pride in their task and giving a boost to the games," said Song Soon-nam, GUOC Award Team Manager.

The Sports Division Director General Keum said that the participating staff would enhance their ability to operate during the award ceremony through a series of training sessions, so at the games they are able to present the athletes with a sense of glory and delight.

For more information, contact:

Jiyoung Lee, Foreign Press Officer

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e-mail: 2015press@gmail.com

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