International University Sports Federation (FISU)

Videos
Photos

(harbin2009.org)
Updated: 2009-02-19 20:26

The International University Sports Federation FISU (Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire) with its headquarters in Brussels, was founded in Luxembourg in 1949. The FISU is the supporting organization of the biannual Universiades (summer and winter), which take place in odd numbered years, and of the 30 World University Championships taking place in even years. Currently the FISU includes 134 national university sports federations.

FISU President George Killian

The Universiade originated in Italy, to be precise in Torino, in 1959, and was inspired by Primo Nebiolo. CUSI (Italian University Sports Centre) - Nebiolo was the President at that time - organized an international event and named it Universiade. This name calls to mind different concepts: university, sport, and universality. In a single word it expresses all that is meant by sports at university. In order to highlight the universality of the event, during the medal ceremonies all the national anthems were replaced by Gaudeamus Igitur, the students' anthem. For the first time also the Universiade Flag was flown: a flag with five stars arranged in the shape of a "u", still today the symbol of the International University Sports Federation. So, the Universiade is a cultural and sports event which takes places every two years in different countries and constitutes the most important international event after the Olympic Games.

The Summer Universiade consists of ten standard sports and some others chosen by the organizers. Up to now, the Beijing 2001 games (China) recorded the largest number of participants ( 6,657 athletes) whereas the Daegu 2003 games (Korea) recorded the largest number of nations participating: no less than 174!

The Winter Universiade consists of six standard sports and some others chosen by the organizers. The Tarvisio 2003 games recorded the largest number of participants (1,935), whereas the Muju-Chonju (Korea) 1997 games recorded the largest number of nations participating (48).