Sport York Director Patricia Murray has been appointed Canada’s chef de mission for the 23rd Summer Universiade, a multi-sport event that takes place every two years in a different city of the world. Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) made the announcement as the Canadian representative of the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU). The games are billed by FISU as second in importance only to the Olympics.
Murray (right), who is a professor in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science at York University, will lead the team at the 2005 Summer Universiade, August 11-21, 2005, in Izmir, Turkey. Murray, who has also been the director of Sport and Recreation at York since 1995, has a wealth of experience on the international stage, having represented Canada at over 25 major games or competitions outside the country, including five Olympic Games and two Universiades.
The 23rd Summer University Games will feature the following sports: athletics, basketball, fencing, football (soccer), gymnastics – artistic and rhythmic, swimming, diving, waterpolo (men), tennis and volleyball; sailing, taekwondo and wrestling will be offered as optional sports in 2005.
“The Universiade is a great opportunity for our Canadian student-athletes to participate and showcase their talents in a world-class sporting event,” said Murray. “I look forward to leading a team that serves and provides optimal support to Canadian athletes and coaches as they endeavour to reach the podium.”
Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Fifty members, 10,000 student-athletes and 550 coaches vie for 19 national championships in 11 different sports. CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades and 27 World University Championships.