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Berlin is set to serve as a host city for the 2025 World University Games which is centred around the Rhine-Ruhr region, approximately 500km west of the capital.
Berlin will stage swimming, volleyball, and diving competitions at the Games. Although it has not been confirmed exactly where the events will take place, it is expected that the aquatic contests will be staged at Schwimm- und Sprunghalle im Europasportpark facility.
It has a track record of hosting international events, with the second leg of the Diving World Cup held there in March this year.
The Uber Arena and Max-Schmeling-Halle are also likely choices for the volleyball matches.
“We are proud to be part of one of the largest multi-sport events after the Olympic Games and to once again experience top international sport in the capital,” said Berlin’s Senator for the Interior, Digitalisation, and Sport Iris Spranger.
“For Berlin as a sports metropolis, it goes without saying that we will support the organisers and sponsors so that swimming, diving, and volleyball can also take place.
“Berlin has the infrastructure to cope with this tight schedule. We can organise the competitions at the highest international level on a sustainable basis by using tried and tested sports facilities.
“This underlines the fact that Germany is an excellent and reliable organiser of major international sporting events.”
Bochum, Duisburg, Essen, Mülheim, and Hagen are also set to host events at the Games which are scheduled to take place from July 16 to 27 next year.
Around 8,500 athletes from 150 countries are set to compete, with a programme of 18 sports planned.
“We are delighted that the sports metropolis of Berlin supports our concept and that we finally have planning security,” said Rhine-Ruhr 2025 chief executive Niklas Börger.
“Athletes and fans from all over the world can now look forward to the sporting event of the year and a huge party in the heart of the Ruhr region and Berlin.”
The hosting of the World University Games is thought to be a necessary step for Berlin in its pursuit of the Olympic Games.
In August, during the Paris 2024 Olympics, the city announced a bid to host in 2040 which would fall on the 50th anniversary of the Reunification of Germany.
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