Kazan Universiade, the stepping stone for Gwangju Universiade

The 2013 Kazan Summer Universiade Games (hereafter Kazan Games) officially began its 12 day journey on the 6th and will last until the 17th of this month.

The Kazan Games will be held under the theme 'U are the World', with the underline meaning of 'You are the world' and the 'Universiade is the world'. During the games, 13,500 athletes from 170 countries will take part in 27 sports events.

2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade Organizing Committee (hereafter GUOC 2015) has made the Kazan Games the stepping stone in preparations for the upcoming Gwangju Universiade through on-site observer education and promotional activities.

GUOC has dispatched the first round of observer program participants on July 3rd and will be continuing to send second and third round of participants until the 17th, consisting of 33 GUOC members and expert staff.

The observer program is a program organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), where the main idea is for future Universiade organizers to learn and obtain knowledge from the host city about the management of venues, operation of games, and other useful information needed in preparations for the games.

The observer program participants will observe 35 areas concerning the operation of the Kazan games and attend seminars to receive necessary information. Additionally, they will visit the Main International Center and 16 other venues and be given thorough explanation by related officials and will be able to fully benchmark the Kazan games for the future.

GUOC plans to acquire the knowledge and experience needed for the overall operation of the facilities at the Kazan Games and make required adjustments before the games.

By doing so, GUOC aims to host a differentiated and higher quality event than previous ones.

GUOC is operating various promotional activities to advertise Gwangju, as the next host city, and Gwangju Universiade to FISU family members as well as the media.

GUOC has begun their promotional activities on July 6th, by setting up booths at the Main International Center in the Universiade Village. They are making the vision of Gwangju Universiade known to international sports figures, athletes from around the world, and heads of delegations.

On the 16th of this month, GUOC is hosting an official reception at the FISU Headquarters hotel, the Korston Hotel, with 300 invitees including the FISU Executive Committee, FISU family members, Korean delegation, and the media.

Under the theme "Invitation to the Light, Gwangju 2015", it will be a place of networking for FISU family members and encouraging participation for the Gwangju Universiade by creating interest and support for the event.

During the closing ceremony on the following 17th, the flag hand-over ceremony will officially declare that the next host city for Universiade is Gwangju, Korea.

The Universiade flag will be handed over from the Kazan Mayor, Ilsur Metshin, to FISU president, Louis-Claude Gallien, which will then be given to the Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Kang Un-tae.

Following the flag hand-over ceremony, a series of cultural performances showing the vision of the Gwangju Universiade will commence, delivering the spirit and culture of Gwangju to the world.

For more information, please contactsarashim@gwangju2015.com

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