There is one week left until the start of the World University Games, which will be held in Germany's Rhine-Ruhr region. The multiforum event will feature 234 medal sets across 18 sports. The Azerbaijani team is entering the final stage of preparation for the competition.
Idman.biz presents interesting facts about the Universiade, which will take place from July 16 to 27.
Six host cities
The main competitions will be held in five cities of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region: Bochum, Duisburg, Essen, Mülheim an der Ruhr, and Hagen.
Berlin will also join the list, the country’s capital will host swimming, diving, and volleyball events.
Until now, Germany has hosted the Universiade only once – in 1989 in Duisburg.
Event program
The program includes judo, athletics, basketball, 3x3 basketball, water polo, swimming, diving, volleyball, beach volleyball, rowing, tennis, table tennis, badminton, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, archery, taekwondo, and fencing.
For the first time, 3x3 wheelchair basketball will be included in the program, making it the first Paralympic sport in the history of the Summer Universiade.
Scope of the event
Approximately 8,500 athletes and officials from 150–170 countries are expected to participate in the Universiade.
The opening ceremony will take place on July 16 at the MSV Arena in Duisburg. The closing ceremony will be held on July 27 at Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord. Competitions will be hosted across 23 sports venues.
Organizers are placing special emphasis on sustainable development: only existing and temporary venues will be used, with minimal infrastructure changes.
At the same time, the Universiade will include a cultural and educational program. This will feature the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Conference (July 17–19, Bochum), as well as concerts and festivals in the host cities.
Azerbaijan team
Several of Azerbaijan’s leading athletes will participate in the Universiade. The judo team stands out in particular. Last year’s European champion and World Championship bronze medalist Eljan Hajiyev (90 kg) is among the favorites in his weight class.
The group rhythmic gymnastics team is also worth mentioning, as this will be their first appearance in group competitions at the Universiade.
Azerbaijan will also be represented in athletics, swimming, taekwondo, and other sports.
What does the statistics say?
At the previous Universiade held in Chengdu two years ago, Azerbaijan won nine medals, three silver and six bronze, finishing in 38th place overall. These medals were earned in judo, rhythmic gymnastics, rowing, and taekwondo.
Overall, Azerbaijan ranks 41st in the history of the Summer Universiade. To date, Azerbaijani athletes have won a total of 49 medals: 13 gold, 14 silver, and 22 bronze.
Zaki Feyzullayev
Idman.biz
