The Athletics Ireland High Performance department acknowledges and welcomes the decision of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) to postpone the World University Games, scheduled to take place in Chengdu this summer. The full statement from FISU can be found here.

This decision came a week after Student Sport Ireland, in conjunction with other participating national governing bodies, including Athletics Ireland, decided to withdraw from the 2022 games on safety grounds. During the process of contacting students to notify them of this decision, Student Sport Ireland received word of the potential postponement of the World University Games, which was confirmed on Friday May 6th by FISU.

Athletics Ireland looks forward to continuing to work with Student Sport Ireland in the hope that FISU and the Chengdu local organising committee can stage a safe and successful World University Games in 2023.