26.01.2011-2011 ERZURUM MEDIA- George Killian, head of the Board of Management of the Federation of International Sports in Universities (FISU) stated that the population of
City Changed Dramatically
George Killian, Head of FISU, speaking at the opening of the FISU hotel stated that he had missed the meeting in the month of November and said, “When I arrived I had difficulty in recognizing the city. There was some big changes had done. It is pleasing to see the illuminated condition of the towers and the beautiful view of the city. That goes also for all university students. These athletes are in the
WaIt for a Gorgeous Ceremony
Killian who has no doubt in the greatness of opening and closing ceremonies stated, “Because the company in question was in charge of the opening ceremonies in İzmir Summer Universiade. They were great hosts and everything went accordingly. Every city would like to perform a better opening ceremony than the former city because they all would like to say that they performed the best ceremony ever. Since the art director promised me for a great perfomane thus I have no doubt that everything is going to be perfect. There will be full attendance. I am sure will write down great news. However, be careful to not to write anything beforehand. Do not believe anything you hear about the opening, come and see it with your own eyes and then write the magnificient story of the opening ceremony.”
Could not RecognIze the UnIversIty
Killian who stated that he visited Erzurum for a long time ago answered the question that is about his ex visit to Erzurum as follows; “ I met rector Sütbeyaz. We investigated Erzurum in order to decide that whether Erzurum can be the host city or not. I do not know so much things about winter sports but I watched winter sports and I toured with the people. I watched the machines and the people were amending some parts of these machines also there were dormitories. We checked the possibilities and the new venues. The university has been developing over the years and has become a stable university. It is an honour for us to be in a cooperation with your university. Receiving honourary degree is a source of pride for me. I could not attend the meeting because of the unlucky events. In mylast visit the city was dark but now it is not and I understand that it has changed. The feature of the city has changed. I could not find my way in the university.
IF I WERE TURKISH, I WOULD BE PROUDED OF BEING FROM ERZURUM
Killian who stated that all countries will utilise from the venues after the games end but especially Erzurum people will take the advantages of these venues, continued his speech and added that; “ You will be famous for being an important city in terms of winter sports. When I started to work in here everbody asked me ‘Where is Erzurum?’. I ensure you, distinguished press members, you will see Erzurum’s name in winter sports in the coming days. Everybody in this city must feel gratitude. I was talking to someone yesterday. They showed their pictures of their children. Their son who is at the age of three, started to ski. I thought how nice it would be to be born here. The Organization Commitee did a good job both in the construction and stadium area. In my first visit to Erzurum I thought that new stadiums could be built, they said that they would overcome it and they did. I hope, you all write these sentences to your newspapers. FISU extended its thanks to all the world and his wife. You are the one who will utilise from all of these works, you are the owner and we are the tenant. If I were Turkish and if I would live in Erzurum, I would be prouded of being from Erzurum.
EMBRACE ERZURUM PEOPLE
Killan who stated that 58 countriees and one thousand 108 participants arrived to Erzurum added that “ Today at least 500 participants are expected to arrive. It means that there is such a group society that this group will experience Turkish daily life. They will meet our people, taste our cuisine and learn new things about our culture. When you shake hands with someone who comes from another country, it is not difficult to distinguish him. Embrace Erzurum people.”
GUIDANCE OF KILLIAN
2011 General Coordinator Bekir Korkmaz who stated that Killian’s words always guide them. Bekir Korkmaz replied to a journalist who asked a question to him in this way; “ We have our map to organize the games. We have a plan. We continue our works within the framework of this plan. FISU has a monitoring committee that check our transections in every two or three months. This commitee has reports that are about our works. We presented the last progress report the tenth one to this commitee. President of Monitoring Commitee Kairis Ulp and the members of the commitee appriated both the organization and the venues. Of course, there were criticisms. These criticism are to guide us to prepare an effective and successful game. 22th of January is the day when the organization started for us. The games have already started. As of now visitors mostly make their entrances through Ankara and İstanbul. The most crowded athletes entrance will be made today. We have been welcoming the athletes who have made their entrances since the morning. Sometimes there can be some accumulations but we solve these kinds of problems by the last minute crisis interferences. Now we are ready for the operation. There will be an magnificent opening ceremony tomorrow.” Korkmaz who said that the opening ceremony will start at 9:30 a.m in the morning, stated that; “ There will be a sport programme that will last one hour and when the team have their seats in the tribuns, the cultural programme will start. The cultural porgramme will last one hour and ten minutes. The whole programme will be completed in two or two and half hour and Killian will made his speech on behalf of FISU. Our State Minister Faruk Nafiz Özak will made his speech as the President of Preparation and Organizing Commitee and the President of Regulatory Board. Also our Prime Minister and our President, if he attends, will make their speechs. We organized a magnificent opening ceremony. The company which has organized the opening ceremony also organized the opening and closing ceremony in İzmir. The rehearsals have been continuing for two weeks under the control of Mustafa Erdoğan who is famous General Art Director in the world. Within this scope, this opening ceremony will be the best magnificent one in the history of Republic. Turkey will be discussed in the world.
278 MILLION EURO WAS SPENT
Korkmaz answered the questions about the investments in this way; “ We made sport investments, foreign investment and organizational expenses in Erzurum. Our total investments are around 278 million euro. We spent 190 million euro for sport investments and we spent 70 million euro fort he expenses that do not include sport expenses and the other expenses are organizational investments. These investments have been continuing. There is not expense that is not envisiaged. We do not have any trouble in terms of our resources. We are able to overcome any kind of problem thanks to our resources.” Korkmaz extended his thanks to FISU, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who made an effort fort he organization, Ministers, Former Rector of Atatürk University Prof. Dr. Yaşar Sütbeyaz, and President of TUSF Kemal Tamer when he ended his speech.
FIRST TIME FOR TURKEY
Tamer stated that Turkey host such an important organization for the first time and added that Turkey has hold such an important invesments at the same time for the first time. Tamer who expressed that he has just learned some sport branches and said that there is not any problem. Tamer continued his speech like; “ If it snows, the view will be beautiful. Although it is not snowing, we are ready fort he games.” Tamer expressed that Turkey will compete in all branches and there are two athletes from high school in sky jumping but these athletes are not classified and Turkey has 69 women athletes and 81 men athletes in the games. Tamer stated that “Let’s see if we can make it snow with the medals we win. Turkey does not have any athletes in Freestyle Mogul skiing ”
KURT: “HEAVY SNOWFALL WOULD MAKE EVERYTHING HARD FOR US.”
2011 WU Technical Committee President Muhtar Kurt stated that they would not say no to a snowfall of 5-10 cm however any more of it would complicate things. Kurt who expressed that the relevant federations will use the venues and they will develop an activity schedule said “I have other position is the member of Board of Management. 2012 World Youth Nordic Championship will take place in Erzurum. Also World Ski Fond Journalists Competition will be held in Erzurum.
ROTH: FIRST CLASS VENUES BUILD
FISU Technical Committee President Roger Roth expressed his thought at the end of the meeting as follows “I first came to Erzurum in 2004 and there was this beatiful mountain and there were old lifts used at that mountain, Palandöken. There was not many things however the present situation tells the opposite. This is very important. There is no doubt that the athletes will be proud of participating and competing in this organisation. Under normal circumstances there is usually a lot of snowfall in Erzurum during these months. However it is for our best that this year it did not snow like it used to. The snow vehicles sent by the local administrations was very helpful. Right now we are carrying out the last preparations. The trainings are starting. Everything we do for this organisation to run smoothly. I would like to courage you in every way possible about the venues. Federations should work effectively for this venues to keep running. So many of us started from scratch. We made a preparation proper to Olympics. The technical infrastructure is the infrastructure used for the Olympics. However, all of these are only a step to Olympics.
EDER: THANKS FOR EVERYTHING
FISU Regulatory Committee Vice President Leonz Eder who stated that the preparations in Erzurum started from scratch expressed his thoughts as follows, “Other countries have many experiences. We started from scratch. We had a lot of difficulties through the preparation process. Both Regulatory and Organisation Committee worked hand in hand. We do not have a true rival when it comes to Olympics. I appreciate everything.”
