One week until the Winter Universiade Innsbruck/Seefeld 2005

INNSBRUCK, 07.01.2005 (PROTEXT) - Seven more days, then the22nd World University Winter Games will begin in the host citiesof Innsbruck and Seefeld. From January 12-22, 2005 approx. 1,50017- to 28-year-olds from 53 countries will compete against eachother a new record. Never before have so many countries sent adelegation to a Winter Universiade, the second largest wintersports event in the world after the Olympic Winter Games. Theathletes will be accompanied by about 600 officials.

Over 850 volunteers, mainly students, will work at the WinterUniversiade Innsbruck/Seefeld 2005 (WU 2005). By students forstudents that is the motto of this university sports event. Eventhe organizing committee is composed mostly of students andrecent graduates.

Ten disciplines (plus the additional event Skeleton) are onthe program. As a result, there are 69 medal events or 207medals to be won. With its innovative sports program includingevents such as Ski Cross, Snowboarding Big Air and Womens Ski-Jumping, which is being carried out for the first time at a largeinternational competition, the WU 2005 is targeting youngpeople. Thus the university town Innsbruck and its 25,000students will be in the spotlight of international universitysports.

The members of the Austrian delegation (103 athletes, amongthe top ten of the participating countries) are very muchlooking forward to meeting their fellow athletes from around theworld. Young international stars such as the German skier FelixNeureuter will be welcomed by ski cross competitor Karin Huttary(gold at the 2004 X Games) or ski-jumper ReinhardSchwarzenberger, both of whom are studying in Innsbruck. Thefirst highlight of the WU 2005 will be the brilliant stage showFrozen Heaven at the official Opening Ceremony in the SoccerStadium in Innsbruck on January 12 at 5 p.m.

PICTURES:

Karin Huttary and Reinhard Schwarzenberger are lookingforward to meeting fellow athletes from around the world http://www.universiade-innsbruck.org/media/downloads/huttaryschwarzenberger.jpg

Members of the Organising Committee: Seefeld Venue ManagerMartin Schnitzer (Venue Manager Seefeld), Markus Redl (SecretaryGeneral) 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

http://www.universiade-innsbruck.org

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