For two days (17-18 May), delegates from European University Sport Association and National University Sport Associations were hosted in Lodz at the invitation of Lodz University of Technology. This was the last meeting with the local organising committee before the European Universities Games 2022 in July.
The two day program, consisted of various activities, started on Tuesday, with the general meeting where the present attendees were welcomed by the speeches of the Vice-Mayor of the City of Łódź, Joanna Skrzydlewska, Rector of Łódź University of Technology, professor Krzysztof Jóźwik, the president of EUSA, Adam Roczek, the general secretary of EUSA, Matjaž Pečovnik, Vice-Rector for organization and student affairs of the Medical University of Łódź professor Janusz Piekarski and the spokesman of University of Łódź, Paweł Śpiechowicz.
Panel discussions, meetings, a visit to the sports venues where student-athletes from all over Europe will compete from mid-July, and a conclusion – the organisers are ready for EUG 2022. The organizing committee of the Lodz Games presented a report on preparations for the event to delegates from Europe. During the presentation, the planned logistical activities related to the reception of about 6 thousand athletes in Lodz were presented. Representatives of the European University Sport Association could also learn about the media plan and promotional assumptions of the event.
Delegates also visited sports facilities. They were checking to see if they were properly prepared to provide the right conditions during the Games. They visited: The Sports Bay of Lodz University of Technology, where tournaments will take place in swimming, water polo, sport climbing, futsal and badminton. The grounds of Geyer’s Gardens were also being inspected. The games in beach sports will be held there. Delegates also visited the municipal facilities as well as those belonging to the University Sports Association of Poland (AZS).
The European Universities Games are held every two years in various European cities. The Lodz EUG will be held 4 years apart from the Coimbra Games, in 2018. In 2020, the European Universities Games were not held in Belgrade due to the COVID-19 pandemic. EUG 2022 in Lodz will be the biggest sporting event after the Beijing Olympics.