(ATR) Taipei is hosting the 29th Summer Universiade beginning on Aug. 19 but the organizing federation appears to not be sure what to call the island where the event is being held.
The International University Sports Federation (FISU) has upset the host population by referring to the island of Taiwan as "Chinese Taipei" in the online version of the Universiade’s media guide, according to the New York Times.
FISU told the Times that the decision to use "Chinese Taipei" was merely in line with the rules set forth when the Chinese Taipei University Sports Federation was admitted to FISU in 1987, six years after the IOC’s "Nagoya Resolution" of 1981 that brought Taiwan into the Olympic fold.
The problem is that those agreements had to do with how the country’s delegations would be known, not for the name of the island itself.
In its statement, FISU did admit "the term Taiwan Island is clearly more appropriate in cases that refer to geography by itself."
Taiwan media report that the Taipei Universiade organizing committee had originally used "Taiwan" for its version of the media guide. The committee released a statement on Wednesday saying most of the incorrect references had been changed back to the original version.
FISU and the Taipei organizing committee will be hoping the furor over the media guide will not dampen a competition featuring 7,700 university athletes from 150 countries. The Universiade will run through Aug. 30.
FISU President Unveils Strategy For Next Decade
The International University Sports Federation (FISU) president unveils a global strategy for the next decade.
Oleg Matytsin announced the plan to the General Assembly ahead of the Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade Opening Ceremony.
It focuses on eight key areas: delivering major sporting events, spreading education through sport, enhancing culture, building dual career programs, cooperating with international organizations, developing FISU’s global network, promoting sport through direct relationships with universities and further improving financial and human resources.
"Our strategy is a comprehensive action plan that will bring great value to both Continental and National Federations, and can provide as a common focus for better communication between the national university sports associations and FISU," Matytsin said in a statement.
Specifics of the global strategy include increasing the number of intra-university competitions, strengthening educational events, and teaming up with outside organizations such as the IOC, ANOC and UNESCO.
After undergoing some refinements, the official action plan is scheduled to be rolled out in March 2018.
The proposal was one of nine put to a vote and passed by the General Assembly. Among the others given the green light were a five-term limit for Executive Committee members and an age limit for members running for election.
The Assembly also approved the applications of Cape Verde, Kosovo, the Marshall Islands and São Tomé and Príncipe to join FISU, raising membership in the federation to 173 countries.
Written by Gerard Farek
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