FISU had not received information perceived as essential for the running of a successful international multi-sport event. A decision had not been made regarding the venue of the Closing Ceremony on July 14, a full route for the Flame Relay had not been finalised and there was still a question mark over what the mascot would be. 

This was in stark contrast to the rapid preparations being made in Chengdu, which had only just been named as host city for the 2021 event. There, construction for the Athletes' Village began only a month after they were awarded the competition. 

In fairness to Naples, however, Chengdu had known beforehand that they would be given hosting rights, signing a "pre-attribution contract" with FISU in December 2018.

The circumstances in which Naples took responsibility for holding the Summer Universiade were rather different. The city stepped up in May 2016 following the withdrawal of Brasilia in 2014 due to financial concerns, giving the Organising Committee less time than normal to prepare.

Nonetheless, FISU's need to release a public request to speed up revealed the alarm that the Italian city may not be ready in time for July's event. 

The situation has changed somewhat, however, as the Universiade Flame winds its way from Turin in northern Italy to Naples in the south, with a brief detour to FISU headquarters in Lausanne. 

Having attended the Torch-lighting ceremony last week at the University of Turin, there was evidence of the rapid progress that Naples 2019 has made over the past few months. 

A symbol of the progress was particularly evident in one of the performances during the afternoon,which featured a depiction of the mascot of the 30th Summer Univerisade, a mermaid called Partenope. Previously only seen as a animated image, the life-sized representation was a tangible result of the Organising Committee's recent hard work. 

Attendees at the ceremony were also given a first listen to the competition's official song, entitled "Glory". The event as a whole was a sign of the Organising Committee completing the necessary final preparations before the Universiade begins next month. 

And in general, it does seem as if everything is ready. The venue for the Closing Ceremony has been confirmed as Piazza del Plebiscito, while tickets for the competition are on sale at cheap prices to attract large crowds. More than 9,300 competitors are set to descend on the Italian city to battle it out over 18 sports, with team announcements coming thick and fast as athletes make their final preparations. 

Of course, there will no doubt still be issues that spring up in the final few weeks and throughout the event. But there is no longer the air of mild panic that had previously surrounded the upcoming edition of the Summer Universiade. 

The new attitude towards Naples 2019 was summarised by the rallying cry of FISU President Oleg Matytsin at the end of his speech during the Ceremony. 

"Grazie a tutti," he declared.

"Avanti Italia, avanti Napoli!”