More Than $500 Million in State Investments Have Upgraded and Improved Region's Winter Sports Infrastructure
Medals Developed in Collaboration With Alfred University Faculty and Students Using Sustainably-Sourced Glass; Photos Available Here
ESPN Chosen as Official Television and Digital Distributor; Will Carry Nearly 160 Hours of Coverage Across Networks
Event and Competition Schedule Released Here; Tickets Go On Sale September 1
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the new medal design and competition schedule for the upcoming Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games, six months before the games are set to begin. The Games will leverage more than $500 million in state funding committed to upgrade Olympic Regional Development Authority sports venues and facilities in the North Country and surrounding region. Additionally, Governor Hochul announced ESPN has been named the official television and digital distributor of the Games, and that ticket sales will begin on September 1.
"In just six months, New York will welcome the world back to Lake Placid for the 2023 FISU World University Games," Governor Hochul said. "Thanks to more than $500 million in sports infrastructure upgrades, our beautiful medal designed by Alfred University students and faculty, and a partnership with ESPN, these games promise to be the best yet and a huge boon for the regional economy. Along with local leaders, businesses, and the mascot Adirondack Mac, I can't wait to host athletes and audiences from around the world in our backyard."
The Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games are an 11-day multi-winter sports and educational festival, scheduled from January 12 to January 22, 2023, that will bring 2,500 collegiate athletes and delegates from more than 600 universities and 50 nations, competing in 12 winter sports and 86 events. The Games' medals were developed in collaboration with faculty and students at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University.The university and its Center for Glass Innovation and Inamori School of Engineering used recycled glass from Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, to develop the glass insert that leverages the state's history of innovative glass technology. The logo etched into the glass symbolizes the central focus of the Games, the collegiate-athlete, and adds another level of dimension to the design. Images of the medals are available here.
Governor Hochul also released the official competition schedule for the Games, which can be found here. The schedule provides the dates, times, and locations for the events across the 12 sports, as well as key milestones like the opening and closing ceremonies.
Additionally, the governor announced that ESPN has been named the official television and digital distributor for the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games. Under the agreement, ESPN+ will stream nearly 140 hours of coverage throughout the 11-day event, with more than 20 hours of ESPN2 and ESPNU network coverage. ESPN's presentation of the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games will be highlighted by the Opening Ceremony, plus various competition events including snowboard cross, speed skating, figure skating long programs, and the gold medal matchups for women's and men's ice hockey. TSN will carry additional coverage to households in Canada.
Along with local leaders, businesses, and the mascot Adirondack Mac, I can't wait to host athletes and audiences from around the world in our backyard.
Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Mike Pratt said, "Our Olympic infrastructure will soon host college and university athletes from around the world. The excitement is building, and our position in the world of sport is rising. ORDA venues are increasingly valuable assets that will yield extraordinary results for decades to come."
Over the last six years, New York State has made significant investments in ORDA's state-of-the-art training and competition facilities, including over $500 million across all ORDA venues and operations in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains. As a result of these investments, ORDA facilities are open year-round for events, athlete training, and recreation. ORDA venues host local, regional, national, and international events, including the FISU World University Games, which will be followed by the Synchronized Figure Skating World Championships in March 2023 and the Bobsled Skeleton World Championships in February 2025.
The state has also invested heavily in winter sports infrastructure across the North Country region. Empire State Development (ESD) is supporting the upgrade of Saranac Lake Civic Center in Franklin County with a $4.5 million Upstate Revitalization Initiative grant, with the facility scheduled to host the Games' Curling events. Other ESD investments include funding to advance projects like Adirondack Health's Lake Placid Health and Medical Fitness Center, Saranac Waterfront Lodge, and Hotel Saranac.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The FISU World University Games will showcase Lake Placid and the surrounding North Country communities to a global audience. The state's strategic investments to support and grow the region's tourism and competitive sports infrastructures are crucial to the success of the Games, and further promoting the region as a winter sports destination."
Adirondack North Country Sports Council Executive Director Ashley Walden said, "We're excited to utilize the technology and expertise of Alfred University. The glass insert is another demonstration of our commitment to hosting the most sustainable FISU Games to date, an integral part of the Save Winter initiative."
ESPN Senior Director of Programming and Acquisitions Dan Margulis said, "The FISU World University Games will add to Lake Placid's rich history of hosting world-class winter sports competitions, and ESPN is thrilled to showcase the events and the thousands of collegiate athletes who will participate from around the world."
State Senator Dan Stec said, "Next year's World University Games will bring international athletes and audiences back to Lake Placid. The state funding that has been allocated will ensure that our sports venues and surrounding area are at their best and highlight their unique qualities and charms to visitors and those watching the games on ESPN next year."
Assemblymember Billy Jones said, "It's hard to believe that the FISU World University Games is just six months away after all the years of preparation and collaboration between state and local leaders that made this moment possible. This event will showcase the recent improvements to ORDA facilities and the Saranac Lake Civic Center and will introduce spectators to the beauty of the Adirondack region and what our local business community has to offer. The announcement today that ESPN will be broadcasting the games is exciting news and means that more people around the world will be able to see why we are so proud to call this place home."
Assemblymember Matthew Simpson said, "The North Country is eager and excited to host the upcoming FISU World University Games. There is no greater place for such an incredible event to a take place and soon, athletes from throughout the world will see how truly special the splendor of the Adirondacks really is. Not since the 1980 Olympics have we had the opportunity to host such a global event and we are ready to roll out the red carpet to showcase what New York has to offer."
Lake Placid Mayor Art Devlin said, "Hosting the FISU World University Games has provided us the momentum to also improve the infrastructure in the Olympic village including water mains, sidewalks and streets. The Games' high level of competition and educational and cultural events will reignite the illustrious history of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics while showcasing ORDA's venues to a world audience."
North Elba Town Supervisor Derek Doty said, "Investment in the region helps make the State more competitive for winter recreation and travel, attracting additional large sporting events, and driving year-round business and economic impact for the area. As the FISU World University Games spur interest in the North Country and investment across our region, the impact is already brought benefits that will endure for years to come."
Acting FISU President Leonz Eder said, "We are excited that the FISU Games are just months away and I am happy to announce that preparations are well underway. I would like to thank the Host Partners and the State of New York for their ongoing hard work and dedication—without them, this event would not be possible. The coming months will be very important for putting on the final touches to ensure all is ready to welcome the world in January 2023."
Fans can follow the preparation leading up to the Games on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with @lakeplacid2023 and #lakeplacid2023. For more information about the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games, visit www.lakeplacid2023.com.
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