FISU suspends Ekaterinburg’s hosting rights leaving 2023 Summer World University Games in limbo

An online meeting of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Executive Committee concluded with the suspension of Ekaterinburg, Russia’s right to host the 2023 FISU Summer World University Games as scheduled.

The international university sports body stated its Executive Committee decided to “postpone Ekaterinburg’s hosting rights,” raising questions over the possibility of the city hosting the World University Games at a later date.

In response to the announcement, Alexander Chernov, General Director of Ekaterinburg 2023, told Russian state news agency TASS, “this is not a transfer from Ekaterinburg, this is a transfer to a later date,” adding, “the dates will be determined in November.”

The FISU did not indicate whether or not this was the case in their original announcement.

An explicit reason for the postponement of Ekaterinburg’s hosting rights was not provided, though it was likely taken with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in mind.

The FISU had previously barred Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in any competitions or activities sanctioned by the federation through the end of 2022. This included stripping Russia of the right to host the first ever FISU University World Cup Combat Sports.

Another decision that came out of the FISU Executive Committee meeting was the selection of Samsun, Turkey as replacement host of the FISU University World Cup Combat Sports. The dates for the rescheduled competition were not revealed, though it was confirmed the event will still take place in 2022.

Commenting on the decisions made by the FISU Executive Committee, FISU Acting President Leonz Eder stated, “FISU has been bringing young people together from around the world in safe and peaceful celebration this year, with the resumption of our FISU World University Championships.”

“We are more determined than ever to provide even more of these opportunities in the future, in partnership with the host cities to whom we remain deeply grateful.”

Even with the planning of the FISU University World Cup Combat Sports back on track, the FISU faces a turbulent and busy year. The federation is gearing up for the 2021 edition of the Summer World University Games in Chengdu, China amidst a COVID-19 surge in the country.

Jing Zhao, Director of the Summer University Games at the FISU, told Around the Rings in an email last month, “FISU is working together with the Organizing Committee preparing contingency plans in extreme cases, but the event must be guaranteed.”

Russia and Belarus have been barred by the FISU from competing at this summer’s competition, with Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin floating the possibility of opening up the All-Russian Universiade to international participation.

“This year we are holding the All-Russian Universiade in early July, where we will invite universities from countries that are friendly to us,” Matytsin told TASS last month. The move could set up a clash between the two events.

The fate of both the 2021 and 2023 Summer World University Games remains uncertain. The FISU will hope to chart a more certain future during a rescheduled Executive Committee meeting in November where the host city for the 2027 Summer World University Games will be selected.