The 33-strong FISU International Technical Committee (CTI) was led by Summer Universiade director Marc Vandenplas and CTI-Summer Universiade chairman William John Warnock and included representatives from the 19 different sports on the Taipei 2017 programme.

The visit is the first of two official visits by the CTI to Taipei, three years out from the Games with the second trip due to take place in 2016.

The primary aim of the inspection was to check on preparation and operational plans set out by Taipei 2017, focussing on competition schedule, venues, facilities and equipment.

During the visit, the FISU delegation travelled to six locations that will be used during the Universiade, including Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan County, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, and Keelung City, to conduct on-site checks at a total of 70 competition and training venues.

Among the venues visited were the Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei Dome and Tianmu Baseball Stadium, which are already in use.

Concerns have been raised recently that the NT$1.4 billion (£27 million/$47 million/€36 million) budget for the building of the Athletes' Village had not been allocated by the Chinese Taipei Government which could result in construction falling behind schedule.

Taipei City's Mayor Hau Lung-bin met with the FISU International Technical Committee to provide an update on progress for the Taipei 2017 Universiade ©Taipei 2017



But Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin assured the FISU delegates that construction plans were on schedule during a meeting that also discussed catering, accommodation, transportation, information and communications, and security for the Games which are expected to attract more than 10,000 athletes.

Last year a row erupted when Taipei City Councillors were accused of misusing the NT$36.8 billion (£790 million/$1.25 billion/€927 million) budget that has been set aside for the event.

Following the visit, the FISU CTI is set to compile a comprehensive report to be presented to Taipei 2017 and will be used to ensure that preparations remain on track ahead of the next inspection visit in 2016 and the Games themselves a year later.

Taipei were awarded the 2017 Summer Universiade in November 2011 by FISU, beating off competition from Brazilian capital Brasilia, who were subsequently awarded the 2019 edition.

The 2017 Universiade in Taipei will see athletes competing in athletics, swimming, diving, water polo, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, fencing, tennis, volleyball, basketball, football, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, baseball, archery, badminton, golf and weightlifting.

Roller skating and billiards will also due to be on the programme as demonstration sports.

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