International University Sports Federation

The Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU, English: International University Sports Federation) is responsible for the organization and governance of worldwide sports competitions for student-athletes between the ages of 17 and 25. It was founded in 1949^[1] as the world governing body of national university sports organizations and currently has 174^[2] member associations (National University Sport Federations) from five continents. Between 1949 and 2011, it was based in Brussels (Belgium); it was relocated to Lausanne (Switzerland) since 2011.

International University
Sports Federation
Fédération Internationale du
Sport Universitaire

Headquarters in Lausanne.
Formation	1 January 1949; 74 years ago (1949-01-01)
Type	Sports federation
Headquarters	1949–2011: Brussels, Belgium since 2011: Lausanne, Switzerland
Membership	170 member associations
Official language	French and English
Acting President	Leonz Eder (Switzerland)
Vice-Presidents	Luciano Cabral (Brazil) (1st VP), Penninah ALIGAWESA KABENGE(UGA) Marian Dymalski (Poland) Zhen SHEN (CHN)
Website	www.fisu.net/en/

The FISU stages its events every two years. They currently include two Universiades (summer and winter) and 34^[3] World University Championships. It also organizes conferences, forums and seminars to promote sport as a component of the educational system.^[4] FISU sanctions other competitions open to university students, such as the biennial World University Bridge Championships in contract bridge, "played under the auspices of the FISU".^[5]

In light of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, FISU banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and national university sports federation officials from participating in FISU competitions and activities until at least the end of 2022, cancelled two FISU University World Cups in Russia and a FISU World University Championships in Belarus scheduled for 2022 (the FISU University World Cup Powerlifting from Moscow, the FISU University World Cup Rugby Sevens from Kazan, and the FISU World University Championship Waterski & Wakeboard from Belarus), and cancelled Russia's hosting of the FISU University World Cup Combat Sports and associated meetings scheduled for 2022.^[6][7] The FISU also suspended the hosting rights and postponed the 2023 Summer World University Games, to be held in Yekaterinburg.^[8]

Organization

A General Assembly elects an executive committee for a four-year term. Oleg Matytsin was elected president for 2015–2019, succeeding Claude-Louis Gallien.^[9] The secretary-general and CEO is Eric Saintrond;^[10] vice-presidents are Leonz Eder, Luciano Cabral, Marian Dymalski, Leopold Senghor and Liguo Yang.^[11]

Past presidents include:

• 1949–1961: Paul Schleimer
• 1961–1999: Primo Nebiolo (ITA)
• 1999–2011: George E. Killian (USA)
• 2011–2015: Claude–Louis Gallien (FRA)

Events and sports

Universiade

The FISU World University Games,^[12] formerly and commonly referred to as the Universiade, is an international sporting event staged every two years in a different city. There were 10,622 participants in Shenzhen, China, in 2011, and 174 participating countries in Daegu, Korea, in 2003.^{[citation needed]}

The Summer Universiade includes 12 compulsory sports (15 compulsory disciplines):^[13]

• Athletics
• Swimming
• Diving
• Water polo
• Archery
• Basketball
• Fencing
• Football
• Artistic gymnastics
• Rhythmic gymnastics
• Judo
• Table tennis
• Taekwondo
• Tennis
• Volleyball

The Winter Universiade includes eight compulsory sports and one to three optional sports are chosen by the host country.^[13]

• Alpine skiing
• Biathlon
• Cross-country skiing
• Curling
• Figure skating
• Ice hockey
• Short track speed skating
• Snowboarding

One to three optional sports are chosen by the host country.^[14]

World University Championships

Main article: World University Championships

While the Universiades are held in odd years, the FISU World University Championships are held in even years. It includes individual/team sports, indoor/outdoor sports, combat sports, mind sports and summer/winter sports.^[15]

See also

• FISU World University Games
• Maison du Sport International
• International Olympic Committee
• International Academy of Sport Science and Technology
• Lausanne campus
• International School Sport Federation

References

1. FISU Statutes 2011-05-30 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2016-01-19.
2. . www.fisu.net. Archived from the original on 2018-08-09. Retrieved 2018-03-07.
3. "World University Championships". www.fisu.net. Retrieved 2018-03-07.
4. Ferreira, P. (2010) Strategy Assessment of International Sports Federations – Case study of the International University Sports Federation (FISU). Executive Masters in Sports Organisation Management, University of Poitiers, France.
5. World University Team Cup 2011-10-27 at the Wayback Machine. World Bridge Federation. 5th World University Bridge Championship 2011-08-13 at the Wayback Machine Event website (2010). Chinese Taipei University Sports Federation. Retrieved 2011-08-12.
6. "FISU Steering Committee - Key Decisions Regarding Ukraine, Russia and Belarus". USA Team.
7. "FISU condemns conflict in Ukraine, withdraws competitions from Russia and Belarus". www.fisu.net.
8. "FISU suspends Yekaterinburg hosting rights for 2023 World University Games".
9. 34th General Assembly in Lausanne elects New Board. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
10. "Russia awards FISU Secretary General-CEO Eric Saintrond with the Order of Friendship". www.fisu.net. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
11. "FISU Secretary-General meets AUSF, FUSC and City Authorities in Beijing". www.fisu.net. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
12. Pavitt, Michael (28 July 2020). "FISU finalises naming system for events". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
13. "Winter FISU World University Games". www.fisu.net. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
14. Winter Universiade. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
15. . www.fisu.net. Archived from the original on 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2017-07-24.

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to International University Sports Federation.