24th Winter Universiade

Harbin --- February 18- 28, 2009

The 24th Winter Universiade will be held in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province, in the northeast of China. The city features a rigid temperate continental monsoon climate, thus honored as Ice City for its long winter and short summer.

Logo

The logo originated from the letter "U". The dynamic lines symbolize the moving tracks of players. Appearing like a flag fluttering in the wind, the logo also symbolizes the passion of youth, and embodies the interaction and harmony between people and sports and also between people and nature. It presents a picture of university athletes from all over the world, guided by the Olympic spirit of "Citius, Altius, Fortius," jointly playing the theme song of 2009 Winter Universiade: "Ice, Snow, Youth and Future."

Mascot

The mascot, named "Dong Dong," with snow as the creative element, white and blue as the main colors, by adopting the personified mode of creation, highlights the characteristics of the host city and winter sports. With an angelical smile on his face, "Dong Dong" appears pure, optimistic and warm-hearted. In the orange scarf representing his vigor, "Dong Dong" is sincerely and warmly welcoming friends from all over the world.

Sports

Short track speed skating (短道速滑)

These competitions are easy to describe: fast and spectacular, which are held on hockey sized rinks (30x60m). The athletes' technique includes the distinctive body position, one hand touching the ice in the turns, excellent acceleration during the start and the ability to avoid disastrous collisions with opponents. Tactics are a fundamental part of the races, the longer distances requiring careful strategy.

Speed skating (速度滑冰)

It is a sport in which humans are able to achieve the fastest speed on a flat surface, without the use of mechanical means. Skaters maintain a powerful and aerodynamic crouched position, which allows them to gain speed rapidly in the straight and to boost speed on the turns. In the long distance races, one or both arms can be placed behind the back to increase aerodynamic profile and to conserve energy.

Figure skating (花样滑冰)

The program is based on rhythm, interpretation of the music and precision in steps and on lifts where the woman may not be lifted above the man's shoulders. An ice dancing competition includes compulsory dance, the original dance and free dance.

Ice hockey (冰球)

One of the most exciting team sports, it is a frenetic game requiring technique, balance and lots of physical strength. This event consists of men and women's tournaments.

Curling (冰壶)

Curling is a team game played on a frozen pitch, the concept of which is very similar to bowls. It consists of sliding 19.96 kg blocks of stone, complete with handles, (called rocks) so that they stop as close as possible to the center of a target drawn on the ice (called the house).

Alpine skiing (高山滑雪)

A class of competitive ski events consisting of speed events (the downhill 速降比赛 and the supergiant slalom 超级大回转) and technical events (the slalom 回转滑雪 and giant slalom 大回转滑雪). Speed events are contested in single runs down longer, steeper, faster courses, with fewer turns than those featured in the technical events.

Nordic combined (北欧两项)

The Nordic combined is a compound of two different disciplines: ski jumping and cross-country skiing. The ski jumping trial is held first, followed by the cross-country skiing. Competitions are held in accordance with the official rules of the two disciplines.

Snowboarding (单板滑雪)

Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a snow-covered slope on a snowboard that is attached to one's feet using a boot/binding interface. It is similar to skiing, but inspired by surfing and skateboarding.

Freestyle skiing (自由式滑雪)

In freestyle skiing, competitors must make high quality, aggressive turns while remaining in the fall line (an imaginary line that combines the steepest pitch and most direct line, from top to bottom, of any slope).

Biathlon (现代冬季两项)

The biathlon is a Universiade Winter sport which combines freestyle cross-country skiing and small bore rifle shooting. This discipline requires strength and endurance, as well as the ability to concentrate, and technical skills.

Ski jumping (跳台滑雪)

Ski jumping is a sport in which skiers go down an inrun with a take-off ramp (the jump), attempting to go as far as possible. In addition to the length that skiers jump, judges give points for style.

Cross-country skiing (越野滑雪)

Skiing in open country over rolling, hilly terrain. The skis used are longer, narrower, and lighter than those used in Alpine skiing, and bindings allow more heel movement.