Head of Delegation Rob Cuppen and his team met with members of the Organising Committee at its Düsseldorf headquarters to discuss the plans for the Games, which will take place in five cities - Bochum, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Essen and Mülheim an der Ruhr - from 16 to 27 July next year.
“The organisation is very, very good,” Rob Cuppen said. "Although the cities are different, the venues are close to each other. Even closer than last year in Chengdu (2023 FISU Games)."
With the innovative approach being taken to hosting the Games sparking much interest in the multi-sport event space, the discussions with Cuppen and his team centred on accommodation, and the decision not to build a separate village for the athletes.
"This is new, but we understand the reasons behind it,” Cuppen said. “It's more than just a sporting event. So many young people come together. It's a great experience."
Many rowers are expected from the Netherlands. ©adh
Dutch Delegation: 100 athletes and officials expected
Accompanying Cuppen on the visit from the Netherlands was Deputy Head of Delegation, Wim Koch, and the delegation’s media liaison officer, Sophie Wagenaars. They were joined by representatives of the Organising Committee including Mirinda Kidman (Manager Delegation Services) and Claudia Southwell (Junior Manager International Services).
Cuppen, Koch and Wagenaars are expecting the Dutch delegation for the Games to comprise around 100 athletes and officials, with rowing expected to be the largest contributor and judo also well represented.
A veteran in the field of sport, Cuppen has attended 13 FISU World University Games, but said he has one notable absence on his country-hopping CV.
"Unfortunately, I missed the 1989 Universiade in Duisburg," he said, before adding that he is now looking forward to his 14th Games - and first in Germany - next summer.