One week until the Winter Universiade Innsbruck/Seefeld 2005
Seven more days, then the 22nd World University Winter Games will begin in the host cities of Innsbruck and Seefeld. From January 12-22, 2005 approx. 1,500 17- to 28-year-olds from 53 countries will compete against each other - a new record. Never before have so many countries sent a delegation to a Winter Universiade, the second largest winter sports event in the world after the Olympic Winter Games. The athletes will be accompanied by about 600 officials.
Over 850 volunteers, mainly students, will work at the Winter Universiade Innsbruck/Seefeld 2005 (WU 2005). By students for students - that is the motto of this university sports event. Even the organizing committee is composed mostly of students and recent graduates.
Ten disciplines (plus the additional event Skeleton) are on the program. As a result, there are 69 medal events or 207 medals to be won. With its innovative sports program including events such as Ski Cross, Snowboarding Big Air and Women�'s Ski-Jumping, which is being carried out for the first time at a large international competition, the WU 2005 is targeting young people. Thus the university town Innsbruck and its 25,000 students will be in the spotlight of international university sports.
The members of the Austrian delegation (103 athletes, among the top ten of the participating countries) are very much looking forward to meeting their fellow athletes from around the world. Young international stars such as the German skier Felix Neureuter will be welcomed by ski cross competitor Karin Huttary (gold at the 2004 X Games) or ski-jumper Reinhard Schwarzenberger, both of whom are studying in Innsbruck. The first highlight of the WU 2005 will be the brilliant stage show "Frozen Heaven" at the official Opening Ceremony in the Soccer Stadium in Innsbruck on January 12 at 5 p.m.
PICTURES:
Karin Huttary and Reinhard Schwarzenberger are looking forward to meeting fellow athletes from around the world
http://www.universiade-innsbruck.org/media/downloads/huttaryschwarzenberger.jpg
Members of the Organising Committee: Seefeld Venue Manager Martin Schnitzer (Venue Manager Seefeld), Markus Redl (Secretary General) and Bernd Knünz (Operational Director) (L to R)
http:// www.universiade-innsbruck.org/media/downloads/isoc2005-team.jpg
ADDITIONAL PICTURES:
http://www.universiade-innsbruck.org/media/press_download.html
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
http://www.universiade-innsbruck.org/sport/sport_schedule.html
In case of questions:
Bernd Obermayr
ISOC 2005 - Media Officer
phone: +43 (0) 512 5360 - 2005
cell: +43 (0) 664 84 55 216
e-mail:bernd.obermayr@isoc2005.at