Throughout the inspection athletes' convenience, especially in accreditation, accommodation, catering and medical services, was an area particularly highlighted by delegates of the CSU as they looked to keep participants at the heart of the Universiade.

The inspection saw the six CSU members - Kemal Tamer, Hisato Igarashi, Kenny Chow, Eric Saintrond, John Warnock and Shen Zhen - visit 16 of the venues set to be used during the Games, as well as the construction site for the Athletes' Village and the proposed location of the International Broadcasting Centre.

During the venue inspections, the CSU members were given reports on the progress of various facilities needed for the operation of the Universiade, including the cafeteria, broadcasting facilities and medical facilities.

Following the visits to each venue, the CSU sat down with Gwangju 2015 organisers for a variety of presentations and reports covering organisation, catering, protocol, international relations and numerous other functions which will help ensure the smooth running of the Univerisade when it gets underway next year.

Members of the 2017 Taipei Organising Committee, including deputy secretary general Kuo-Ann Wu, were also present during these meetings as they look to get a step ahead in the preparations for their Universiade in three years' time.

With this inspection now over, the FISU Steering Committee is set to hold a meeting tomorrow and Saturday (March 15), with a larger FISU forum set to take place from March 17 to 22, which is expected to be attended by 250 participants from 70 nations across the world.

The South Korean City of Gwangju is due to host the 2015 Summer Universiade from July 3 to 14.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]