EUG2018 Test Event and Training

EUG2018 Test Event and Training

European Universities Games 2018 will come to Coimbra in less than one month, and everyone from the organizing comitee is working to create the best experience for all volunteers, athletes and officials at EUG2018. We talked with Head of Logistics, Head of Protocol, and the Head of IT Department, who assured us that everything is ready for the start of the biggest university sport event in 2018.

Jonathan Torres is the Head of Logistics and he is overseeing the biggest challenges of the EUG – accomodation, transportation, catering, volunteering and IT. During the test event, final preperations were concluded around these core functional areas, and Jonathan had this to say...

„Our goal is to promote unique event using the special conditions we have in City of Coimbra and at the University of Coimbra. Biggest challenges we have are regarding accomodation and transportation. First is due to limited accomodation capacities in Coimbra and I am sure we found a good solution for all participants. We booked almost every bed available in the city and for transport we will have routes suitable for every participant and spectators. Along with this comes a challenge regarding catering. We will have to adjust catering and create catering areas in the city. We do not want to have people travelling half an hour from their accomodation to the nearest cantina.“

 

„Transportation is a challenge, but because Coimbra is a small city and all routes are short I am sure we would not have any problems. Besides existing public transport routes we will have some specially made for the EUG.“

„We are happy to announce that currently we have almost 1000 volunteers, out of which 150 volunteers from other cities in Portugal, and 150 international volunteers. Also, it is important to mention that 700 Coimbra volunteers mostly do not have sporting background either as athletes or organizers and that will be a huge legacy for University of Coimbra and the City after the EUG.“

Sandra Vaz is Head of Protocol and her job is to prepare memorable opening and closing ceremonies, as well as medal ceremonies for each sport competition. Throughout the test event, protocol and ceremonies were tested, along with many volunteers were present to recieve training and practise roles at the award ceremonies.

„Opening ceremony will be special, because it would be presented in the historical building at the university of Coimbra, which is UNESCO World heritage. We want to celebrate dual career and student athletes, as well as the story of University of Coimbra and progress of University sport in Portugal.“

Ceremony Rehearsal

„Closing ceremony will be dedicated to the work of Students Union of University of Coimbra. We will celebrate students life, from the momment you enroll till you graduate from the University of Coimbra. Everything will be shown through achievements of our athletes and clubs.“

„We want to celebrate dual careers of athletes and medal ceremonies will include something more than just receiving medals. EUG will be special and we want every ceremony to be memorable.“

Results Management Team

Antonio Simoes, Head of IT department, assured us that everyting regarding his area will be organized at the highest level possible.

„IT will be acrucial area for the success of the event. We will have a mobile application so every athletes know all the newest information and everything necessary for their stay – location, guides, results, news... We are also responsible for the live stream and we will use both youtube and facebook live stream services. Last, results management system will follow all the live action during the day. Although accomodation will be all over Coimbra, we have internet coverage for everything – catering, accomodation, venues, offices.“

Team lead by EUSA Sports Manager Mr Besim Aliti were present at the event, testing important parts of IT department, including EUSA result management with Marin Furcic, FurkiSport Director, and EUSA Results provider, present at the event.  Liam Smith, EUSA Sport Operational Specialist, and Luka Pozgaj, who will be assisting result management operations during the European Universities Games 2018, provided technical and operational training to a total of 8 result coordinators who will lead teams of volunteers in entering sport results to the system.