The World University Games in NRW are over. Twelve days in which the Rhein-Ruhr region showed its best side in order to advertise a good advertisement for an Olympic application. What’s stuck? Impressions from the center of the internationally largest sporting event of the year.
For many things, they were responsible for the Fisu World University Games: blood, sweat, tears, but also international friendships and happy faces, on and off the square – not least thanks to almost 800 medal decisions. NRW’s dress rehearsal for the Olympic Games came to an end on Sunday, July 27th.
One Opening ceremony, that keeps your promise
The Big starting shot delivered the opening ceremony in the Duisburg MSV-Arena on July 16. It should be down -to -earth and unusual – this is how the Ruhr area wanted to present itself. The result was an entertaining show that was particularly able to attract and inspire a young audience through her music acts.
Nothing about the ceremony seemed exaggerated and, nor did nothing seem old -fashioned or boring. Without “aha moment”, it was not possible: In addition to the traditional paint, a fireworks show from the stadium roof caused beautiful pictures. Rhein -Ruhr did not want to be a classic, but a “fresh” host – the message has arrived.
Basketball tollhaus In Bochum and Water polo
Not the classic high gloss, but urban charm, should also convey some competition sites. Especially the Bochum Century Hall, as a host of the 3×3 basketball competitions, presented itself as a great location and sprayed a certain backyard atmosphere For the former street sport.
Athletes and fans accepted this gratefully: full audience and a gripping mood showed crowned by the victory of the two German women teams: 3×3 basketball is and remains a German success story. In particular, there With the newly included 3×3 wheelchair basketball It was shown how a successful inclusion of Parasport can succeed without being wanted or cramped.
The more than 8,000 participants of the Rhein-Ruhr Games also showed, despite the absence of many sport-Sizes, gripping sport. The water jumpers presented themselves in an exemplary manner in the water basin of Berlin, which jumped in at short notice as an organizer for swimming competitions and volleyball.
In addition, the German water polo teams in Duisburg used the favor of the hour and delighted with two medal coups. Especially the women’s team stabbed, let Against the favorite USA in the final No goal for a whole half and in the end the deserved gold medal was allowed to hang out.
Sports dramas and special stories – on and off the square
In general, women’s water polo finals were only one of many sporting statements that showed: the “big” US teams are absolutely beaten. They experienced the biggest hype before the games, especially in basketball with their own press conference. As possible dream teams, already recorded from the highly professional US college sport, she was introduced-in the end it was “only” enough for men and women to the silver medal.
Above all, the basketball final of the US men against Brazil secured its place in the FISU history books after Brazil snatched a 22-point lead in the last quarter and converted into overtime victory for gold. The big sports moments, they are also written outside the Olympic Games.
Leah Hayes sponge without a bathing cap at the World University Games. The American wants to raise awareness of hair loss diseases.
The gold medal is not always needed to provide great moments, but it can help to underpin a statement. There would be, for example, the US swimmer Leah Hayes, who presented her bald head instead of a bathing cap in the pool and thus drawn attention to her hair loss disease. Or the 100-meter sprinter Georgia Harris, who spoke openly about her epilepsy after her victory at the career.
All of these are often marginal notes in an event at which sport is in the foreground, but they also made these games special. They showed what some people mean – and how important role models can be.
Big music shows, but is NRW also in sports fever?
For all these moments, the Rhein-Ruhr Games were well-prepared hosts. In terms of organization, it was heard from delegations and fans, there were few problems. The competitions could take place smoothly. Thousands of volunteer volunteers helped in place or created the mood on the ranks (often only well occupied at finals). Mascot Wanda was also present everywhere and especially for many children and families a magnet.
In addition, a completely different audience was attracted with the musical supporting program. Music stars of the scene such as all colors, crossbeat or ski AGGU in particular attracted young people to the festival site next to the competition sites in Bochum and Essen. In particular, thousands of people moved to the north meadow next to the Bochum Century Hall.
How many spectators there have recognized the connection between the music act and the World University Games remains questionable. The groups of spectators, which were at concerts or sports competitions, were too different. The world student games were primarily seen as a family -friendly day trip for people from the region, while spectators from further distant cities were rarely found.
Moody and thrilling event
However, and that should everyone who found their way to the University Games, the games were a moody, sometimes thrilling event with great sport – and thus a little impression of what Germany would have expected from local Olympic Games, whether in the Ruhr area or elsewhere.
Our sources:
- Reporter on site
- WDR interviews
