Why are Universiades at the center of world attention?

If you find yourself among the lucky ones to be in Gwangju during the Summer Universiade next year, get a good look at all the athletes you will see in and around the arenas – for among them might be the next heads of state or star athletes. Did you know, for instance, that President Barack Obama of the United States and President Vladimir Putin of Russia have both competed in Universiades?

While studying at Harvard University, President Obama took part in a Universiade as a member of the American basketball team. Basketball proved to be a great way for Obama to make friends and meet new people. When he later organized his political campaigns, you can be sure he made use of the network of friends he made while playing sports. President Putin is considered a fierce athlete, too. He earned a master’s degree in sports in 1973 and became a Universiade Sambo champion while earning his law degree. Putin is not only a fan of Russian martial arts but sports of all kinds. He once again showcased his love for sports by personally attending the 2013 Kazan Summer Universiade in Russia.

The examples of Obama and Putin demonstrate that sports are not only about fair competition. Sports are also essential media through which students hone their physical strengths and problem-solving skills, cultivating such leadership qualities as boldness, wit, generosity, and solidarity.

Naturally, Universiades are also well-established cradles for future star athletes.Over 48% of all Olympic medalists in history won medals at Universiades before they performed on bigger stages. Examples are countless but include Michael Johnson, who symbolized an era with his triumph over physical handicaps; Larry Bird, the American basketball legend; Michael Phelps, the emperor of swimming; and Nadia Comaneci, the Romanian gymnast.

Universiades have also heralded the emergence of legendary Korean athletes like Hwan Yeong-jo, the unbeatable marathoner; Lee Sang-hwa, who recently emerged as a speed skating champion at Sochi; Woo Ji-won, one of Korea’s most beloved basketball players; and Park Chan-ho, the first Korean baseball player to make headway into American major league baseball.

For the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade, you can expect to see world-level champions and goodwill ambassadors like Yang Hak-seon, a gymnast of perfect artistry and technical mastery; Son Yeon-jae, the Korean princess of rhythmic gymnastics; Lee Sang-hwa, the goddess of ice sports; Ki Bo-bae of archery; and Choi Eun-sook of fencing. So come see the best of the past and the future at the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade!