'Tragedy' that some student-athletes unable to come to Chengdu: FISU chief

FISU Acting President Leonz Eder Photo: Lu Wenao/Global Times

Financial issues have prevented some countries' university delegations from participating in the FISU World University Games, FISU Acting President Leonz Eder told the Global Times on Thursday in an exclusive interview. 

"We have a few important countries that are not here at the Games, the majority of these have had financial issues," Eder said. 

"For the athletes [of these delegations], it's like a tragedy because they train so hard to be present here. They missed this great opportunity to compete against other students from more than 110 delegations. It's a pity."

The previous Summer FISU Games were held in 2019, when Napoli of Italy welcomed an influx of 118 delegations while the current Chengdu one has embraced 113. Notable absentees for the FISU Games in Chengdu include Mexico, Canada and the UK.

"But there was nothing we could do. FISU contacted every single country who is not presented here, asked why they could not come and what the problem was. 

"Some of them were afraid that there is still some pandemic restrictions around, but we told them, 'No, there's nothing. It's an open Games now.'"

Eder told the Global Times that the majority of the missing teams, when reached by the FISU, have expressed regret they are not in Chengdu, after seeing the wonderful images on television.

"They hear from competitors, from other countries that they are missing a very big opportunity. This is a pity," the Swiss official said. 

"Hopefully they can come again in the future."

Eder also underlined that the focus should be put on athletes who are competing in Chengdu, rather than those who are not there.

"We must concentrate on the countries that are here," Eder told the Global Times. There are 6,500 athletes competing in Chengdu.

"This is a fantastic result after two years of the pandemic. And all of them are very happy and satisfied."