Oleg Matytsin, president of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) addresses a press conference for the 30th Summer Universiade in Naples, Italy, July 1, 2019. The 30th Summer Universiade will kick off on July 3 in Naples. (Xinhua/Kong Hui)
NAPLES, Italy, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The International University Sports Federation (FISU) President Oleg Matytsin said Monday that it's great to be writing a new chapter of students' sports history in Napoli as the 30th Summer Universiade heads back to Italy in FISU's 70th anniversary year.
"The Universiade is about much more than sport, as it brings the world's future leaders," Matytsin told a press conference here.
"The opportunities for cultural exchange and learning are immense. We want to send a message that university sport and education should constitute the main part of a state's policies.
"Whoever comes here represents the universities that have a very important role in the societies. They are educated boys who understand the value of friendship and sport that brings peace to the world," he said.
Matytsin underlined the young people will be here with the pride of representing their countries and regions but also to enjoy life in Naples, a city of culture, spirit, energy, sea, and quality food.
"The students are accommodated in very beautiful cruise ships and the athletes are happy with these unique conditions," he said.
The Universiade was initiated in the late summer of 1959 in Torino, Italy. The Napoli 2019 sees the biggest number of 8,000 participants among all the Universiades held in Italy. The registered athletes were around 300 in the two editions in Turin (1959 and 1970) and about 500 in Rome in 1975. Sicily in 1997 saw the participation of 3,949 athletes.
With Italy's hosting of 10 previous editions of the Summer and Winter Universiades, the country is believed to be well prepared in organizations and to make full use of the legacies of infrastructures and sporting facilities.
FISU Secretary General-CEO Eric Saintrond said Regione Campania is one of the richest lands in terms of culture and history, not just in Italy but in the whole world. "We have all the ingredients to make this not an average Universiade, but an excellent one."
The opening ceremony will be held at Stadio San Paolo in Napoli on July 3. The competitions, with 18 sports programs, will take place in 58 venues in Regione Campania.
