Dutch speed skater Esmee Visser, the women's 5,000 metres gold medallist at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, is helping to create quite a buzz as ambassador of the event, taking place from March 10 to 13.

The Netherlands have a long and proud history in speed skating and the LOC is confident the four days of competition will be a huge success.

There are 23 countries represented among the registered athletes and, according to LOC, the interest level was so high that in some cases student-athletes themselves contacted their respective National University Sports Federations to ensure they could compete in Amsterdam.

"With the World University Championships Speed Skating in Amsterdam, we have a chance to make sure this tournament, as well as student speed skating in general, gets the attention it deserves," LOC President Ronald Ligtenberg said.

"The amount of countries that have registered is incredible and exceeds all expectations."

Marijn Boersma, a member of the LOC, added: "It feels good to see athletes making such efforts to compete in a tournament we are organising.

"With 23 participating countries, we have exceeded the registrations from all previous editions. 

"I cannot wait to see all these people from different countries come together here in Amsterdam. 

"It promises to be an amazing week."

The International University Sports Federation launched the World University Championship (WUC) series in 1963.

As single sport competitions, WUC events give cities and often universities the chance to host a major international sports event with a minimum cost and complexity.