"Athletes will be very impressed with the facilities"
"I had the opportunity to look at close to a dozen sports venues. They look fantastic. Obviously, there is still some work to be done, but the athletes from around the world will be very impressed with the facilities," says Hawkinson. Among other things, the U.S. American was a guest at the PSD BANK DOME one evening as part of a league game of the ice-hockey club Düsseldorfer EG. Hawkinson was given a tour of the multifunctional arena in Düsseldorf, which will host competitions in basketball and artistic gymnastics in 2025. "The arena was very impressive."
©Facebook Page of USA University Team
The US delegation is expected to be one of the largest among all participating nations at the FISU World University Games in 2025. Hawkinson anticipates around 400 to 500 individuals, comprising athletes and officials. "That's why it's important for us to get to know the local conditions early," Hawkinson explains his visit to Germany. The plan is for the families and relatives of the athletes to stay in a joint hotel, while the athletes will be accommodated in the close proximity of their competition venues.
USA University Team: Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter)
Hawkinson has been serving as Deputy Head of Delegation in the US team since 2011. The FISU World University Games always hold a special place for him. "The United States always looks forward to the FISU World University Games. We are very excited to be on-site for the competitions here in 2025." Rhine-Ruhr 2025 also provides additional interesting insights for the US team because in 2029, the FISU World University Games will come to the United States, when North Carolina will host the event.
Donna Spethman, Senior Manager International Services (at the very front in the middle ) ©Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games
International Services at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games
Spethman and her team are responsible for the exchange with around 170 delegations from all over the world. The main focus is on efficient communication between the organizing committee and the delegations.
“It was wonderful to welcome representatives from the USA delegation to the Games office this week. We were able to not only provide some updates that were relevant specific to the USA delegation, but we were also able to showcase our wonderful region to help the team get excited about attending the Games here in Rhine-Ruhr. We are looking forward to liaising with more delegations as we work to deliver the biggest and best World University Games event in 2025”, says Donna Spethman.
Meanwhile, she expects more foreign delegations to come to Rhine-Ruhr in the run-up to the World University Games. Great Britain has already announced its participation for next year. The U.S. delegation will also visit the site once again.
National university sports federations are invited to contact the International Services team for insights into planning and delegation services during the FISU Games: delegationservices@rhineruhr2025.com