RALEIGH (N.C.) — North Carolina won the 2029 World University Games. This was two months after South Korea’s 2027 bid ended as the runner up.
According to the International University Sports Federation’s executive committee, which met in Lake Placid (New York), North Carolina was selected for the Summer World University Games. Officials from the Federation and the bid office announced this decision.
Over 7,000 young athletes from more than 150 countries compete in the summer games. This nearly two-week long summer games competition features 15 mandatory sports including track and field, swimming and basketball. There are also optional sports offered by local hosts.
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina were visited by a federation panel. Roy Cooper was in North Carolina with a federation panel during the September group’s decision on the 2027 Games. Leonz Eder, president of the Federation, stated that although Chungcheong Province in South Korea won this event, the federation liked North Carolina’s suggestion.
Eder stated that “we have been working diligently since then with our members and staff to secure North Carolina USA’s future host.”
This vote was taken by the executive committee before the start of the Winter University Games, which begin at Lake Placid this week.
Elaine Marshall, Secretary of State North Carolina and other state leaders in government and sport attended the announcement.
North Carolina proposed the “University Hub”, which includes Raleigh, Durham Chapel Hill, Cary, Greensboro, and Chapel Hill. More than 130 colleges and universities are located in the state.
Cooper tweeted, “We are excited to host the World University Games North Carolina 2029.” Cooper said in a tweet that North Carolina has “world-class facilities and a tremendous enthusiasm for college sport. This will ensure the success of these games.”