STRBSKE PLESO/OSRBLIE - Less than two months before the opening of the 27th Winter Universiade, the Slovak organizers are ready to organize competitions in biathlon in Osrblie, as well as cross country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping in Štrbské Pleso.
Sport shooter Danka Barteková, a multiple medalist from the World Championships, the European Championships and a bronze medalist at the 2012 Winter Olympics in London, has become the ambassador and the face of the Universiade. She has also been a member of the Commission of Athletes in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2013.
"I am really glad to become the ambassador of this event. I did not hesitate for a moment. For me, organizing the WU means a successful diplomatic promotion of Slovakia, which will - for a moment - become the center of sporting events. I have represented Slovakia twice at the World Summer Universiade; I even have a medal. I believe that every visitor shall take with them at least as great experiences, as are associated with my Universiade" said Ms. Barteková at the press conference.
When creating the Universiade video spot, the organizers let themselves be inspired by what is closest to the Tatras - sport and tourism. The thirty-second-long spot entitled "Sunlight" therefore includes images that complete the characterization of the Slovak mountains in all their splendor. The author of the music is the famous singer and songwriter Peter Aristone.
Peter Chudy, sports director of the organizing committee, informed about the current state of the sports venues: "It was necessary to finish building a multifunctional complex in Osrblie, which should be ready by the end of next month. The ski jumping bridge HS-100 at Štrbské Pleso needed certification – which it gained until the year 2018; and similarly the cross country trails gained it until 2017 – so in this respect, everything is all right. After negative experiences from last winter we want to avoid lack of snow. We will mount a cooling system on the bridge HS-100, as well as at the biathlon track for 5 and 2.5 km, in order to meet the parameters for artificial snow. Four competitions of the Continental Cup in cross country skiing and two competitions in ski jumping will be held in the Tatras in the period from December 19th to the 21st. This will test how well we are prepared."
The organizers are happy to see the high interest in volunteering; 500 students enrolled from all the Slovak universities and an additional 400 requests from abroad had to be refused. "We had less than eight months for preparations since the creation of the organizing committee, which is truly a very short time. However, we have covered all the areas in terms of organization, i.e., travel, accommodation, accreditation and issues regarding the ceremony. At the moment we can say that we will welcome 509 athletes and 344 delegation members from 31 countries. We reckon that 1,200-1,400 people will participate throughout the course of the WU", Peter Hamaj added.
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