Vote of Confidence For 2019 Summer Universiade

(ATR) The stunning beauty of the Amalfi Coast, Gulf of Naples and iconic Mount Vesuvius will serve as a scenic backdrop as the Summer Universiade returns to Italy next summer.

Nels Hawkinson, the deputy head of the U.S. delegation, recently completed a four-day inspection visit to Naples. He noted that despite considerable political and organizational obstacles as well as potential traffic problems in Italy’s third largest city, the Games should provide a rewarding sporting and cultural experience for student athletes.

"Italy had a government change just a month ago so that slowed down the process as far as hiring, but the funding appears to be in good shape," Hawkinson tells Around the Rings about the 30th edition of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) multi-sport event, July 2-14, 2019.

"We’re just ecstatic that CONI (Italian NOC) and CUSI (Italian University Sports Center) and the national sports federations have taken this on with the local organizing committee and the new government."

Napoli was awarded the Games in March 2016, more than 14 months after the initial host city of Brasilia, Brazil withdrew due to financial problems.

"It is a tremendous location for many reasons," Hawkinson added. "Every place you go has a couple thousand years of history, and outside of practicing or playing to sneak away to places like the Amalfi Coast, Capri or Mount Vesuvius is pretty unique."

Some 12,000 student athletes, between ages 17 and 25, representing approximately 170 countries are expected to compete in 250 medal events. Naples will host many of the 18 sports, spread across 14 competition venues, while others will be contested throughout the Campania region in Caserta, Salerno, Benevenuto and Avellino.

All venues exist, aside from a few temporary facilities and overlays that will be built closer to the start of the event. Many of the venues are undergoing significant refurbishment, including the 60,000-seat San Paolo Stadium, which is expected to house ceremonies and athletics.

To ease movement of getting around, three Athlete Villages will be used. Location for the Naples Athletes Village has yet to be confirmed, while the Salerno and Caserta Villages will take advantage of existing university campus and hotel accommodations. Previous plans to house student athletes onboard cruise ships anchored in the Naples port were dropped.

"There might be some people who have some concern because it isn’t done, but they’re close," Hawkinson said. "Italy is filled with rules and regulations to get anything done, but a lot can happen in a year and they’ll come through."

Regarding potential traffic and gridlock in the congested city, Hawkinson said Naples will be less of a problem than cities that hosted previous Summer Universiades.

"Shenzhen, Gwangju and Taipei all had ridiculous traffic and the problem is getting outside of the city, but by having many venues in Caserta and Salerno which are already outside, you don’t have the first 40 minutes getting outside of the city. Many (venues) are connected by highways. The only issue is getting in and out of Naples."

While Naples does not have a track record of hosting major international multi-sport events, the Gulf of Naples served as the setting for the America’s Cup yacht races in 2012.

Faced with numerous obstacles and delays, Napoli 2019 organizers brought in the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) in early May to help expedite preparations.

Many of the 10,000 required volunteers will come from the 35,000 student University of Salerno in Fisciano. In addition to the Athletes Village located there, training facilities and programs will be incorporated into other aspects of Universiade.

During what was his second inspection visit to the Italian host city, Hawkinson primarily met with Napoli 2019 sport and operations director Robert Outerino.

The U.S. delegation for Napoli 2019 will be approximately 500. Hawkinson and his Global Sports Properties entity, BTI Events, has been the managing partner of the U.S. team at Universiade since 2009, when the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) relinquished the responsibility.

Hawkinson also noted that three military bases in Naples will provide ample opportunities for programs, interaction and friendly competitions between student athletes and U.S. military personnel, enhancing the value of the experience for the U.S. team.

The U.S. delegation leader expects the Napoli 2019 Universiade to offer an immensely rewarding experience for the student athletes, six decades after Turin hosted the inaugural edition of the FISU flagship event.

"The medals are great, the sightseeing, the food, the weather, the beaches and historical implications are all amazing, but I want our athletes, coaches and staff to leave an incredible mark in Naples and with the Italian people."

Written by Brian Pinelli

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