Universiade - the Olympic Alternative

As athletes from 88 nations converge of Sochi, Russia for the games of the 22nd Winter Olympics there is a growing fear that terrorism will take center stage. Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured that the vaunted "ring of steel" security cordon surrounding the Black Sea resort will prevent a terrorist attack. However, many experts say the question is not whether there will be attack, but when it will occur.

Last week, the U.S. State Department issued an updated travel alert, saying "There is no indication of a specific threat to U.S. institutions or citizens, but U.S. citizens should be aware of their personal surroundings and follow good security practices." The concern surrounding the potential for an incident has led many athletes to tell family members to stay home.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel is a member of the U.S. men's hockey team, while sister Amanda is on the women's team. On Wednesday, Kessel told reporters in Toronto they are not taking family with them. "I just thought it would be better that way. I think it's a big honor playing for your country, I love playing for my country. That's a big draw for guys, guys want to play. Obviously, the Russian government is going to do a great job over there, but you hear stories about what is going on and you just have to play it by ear."

The security situation in Sochi stands in stark contrast to the recently-held games of the 26th Winter Universiade in Trentino, Italy. First held in 1959, the Summer and Winter Universiade events are held biennially and are considered to be the most important international multi-sports events after the Olympic Games. Some 3,000 participants from more than 50 countries and more than 200 universities participated in 12 events over eleven days in Trentino. Many of those athletes will represent their nations in Sochi.

The multi-level success of the Trentino event was even more remarkable because the organizers had just over a year to put the games together. Initally, the 26th Winter Universiade was awarded to Maribor, Slovenia. When the Slovenian government reversed its decision to partially fund the games in December 2012, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) awarded the games to Trentino over Vancouver, Canada and Innsbruck, Austria.

Sergio Anesi, the President of the Trentino Organizing Committee, said the invitation was accepted "knowing that it could count on two characteristics that have made Trentino the Italian province closest to the world of sport: the extensive range of sports facilities and above all the great organisational ability ensured by a large number of local committees and thousands of volunteers."

The games were an enviromental success, with the decision made early to "go green." According to a press release issued before the games, the organizers opted "for the adoption of a set of good practices, ranging from sustainable mobility to waste management, in order to minimize this event environmental impact.

One of the main resolutions of WU 2013 manifesto is to be a paper free event, avoiding the use of this material enhancing the use of digital supports." By adopting energy-saving initiatives, the games would "not cause an increase in pollution nor affecting global warming or climate change."

Trento was truly the digital games. Social media took center stage with organizers, athletes, officials and media (including this correspondent) using multiple platforms to keep the world up to date on events. Crowdfunding helped to raise capital while giving people around the world the opportunity to help create a new way to participate in the event.

In just over a year, student athletes will converge on Granada, Spain for the 27th Winter Universiade. Granada lost its bid to host the 2013 games, and ironically won the 2015 bid over three other cities, including Sochi, Russia.

Meanwhile, after losing a bid to host the 2013 Summer Universiade to Kazan, Russia, Gwangju, South Korea will host the 28th Summer Universiade in July, 2015.