Taipei has been chosen to host the 2017 Summer Universiade, beating out Brazil’s capital Brasilia, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) announced Nov. 29.
“I thank FISU for choosing my city to host the 2017 Summer Universiade. After bidding five times to get the games we finally got them,” Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin said after the federation’s executive committee made the announcement in Brussels, Belgium. In 2009 Taipei lost its bid for the 2015 games, while the southern port city of Kaohsiung has been a candidate three times.
“We promise a close collaboration with FISU to make these games one of the best Universiades in FISU history.”
The Brasilia and Taipei delegations made their final presentations earlier the same day, according to the FISU website. Almaty, Kazakhstan, was named to host the 2017 Winter Universiade, it added.
FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien praised the Taipei delegates for their quality presentation and well-rounded preparations, noting that Taipei has much experience hosting World University Championships and other mega sports events.
“I’m confident Taipei City will deliver some wonderful games.” Gallien said.
Chen Tai-cheng, an FISU executive committee member from Taiwan, said Taipei outmatched Brasilia for several reasons, including a solid financial plan and an 85-percent completion rate of athletic facilities compared to Brasilia’s 55 percent.
ROC Minister of Sports Affairs Council Tai Hsia-ling said winning the bid is of great significance in Taiwan’s history of hosting international sporting events considering the scale and competitive level of the Universiade. She promised to go all out to prepare Taiwan’s athletes and coaches, and to improve both software and hardware.
“Victories come to those who are prepared,” Tai said.
Launched in the Italian City of Turin in 1959, the biennial Universiade is an international sports event for university athletes. It is the second-largest multisport event after the Olympic Games. The 2011 Summer Universiade recently took place in Shenzhen, mainland China.
Since 1987, Taiwan has won 36 gold, 37 silver and 54 bronze medals in the Universiade. (THN)
Write to Rachel Chan at rachelchan@mail.gio.gov.tw