May 23rd: FISU, World Taekwondo, and KSOC

We had an early morning wake-up to get dressed and ready for business casual day, as we had a full schedule of meetings with multiple international sports organizations. After getting prepared, we hopped on the subway and made our way to the Université de Lausanne, where we met with the International University Sports Federation (FISU). FISU is essentially the international counterpart to the NCAA in the U.S., overseeing university-level sports on a global scale. One of the most fascinating things we learned about FISU is that they organize Olympic-style games for university students every two years—both summer and winter editions. The most recent FISU Winter Games were held in Lake Placid in 2023, and we found out that the 2027 Summer Games will be hosted across various colleges in North Carolina, which was especially exciting to hear for us. While we were at FISU, we also had the chance to explore a small museum-style exhibit they had on-site. It featured a range of artifacts from past FISU games. Browsing through the exhibits was a fun and engaging way to learn more about the history of international university sports. One of the highlights was seeing some of the original torches used in previous games, which gave us a real sense of tradition and prestige behind these events. Talking with representatives from FISU was eye-opening, especially since many of us had never heard of the organization before this trip. Hearing firsthand about their mission, programs, and upcoming events made us appreciate the global scope of college athletics.

After our meeting, we had lunch at the university’s cafeteria—and to everyone’s surprise, it turned out to be some of the best dining hall food any of us had ever had. The variety was incredible, and we got to try several different cuisines, which made it feel more like a food hall than a typical cafeteria. With full stomachs, we took a relaxing stroll along Lake Geneva, enjoying the stunning views and fresh air before heading to our next stop: the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters. Of course, we had to stop for a quick group photo in front of the iconic Olympic rings!

Next, we visited the Maison du Sport International, a hub that houses numerous international sports federations. Our first meeting there was with World Taekwondo. They welcomed us warmly into their office and led a fascinating discussion on both the history of Taekwondo and their humanitarian initiatives, including programs in Middle Eastern refugee camps. They even treated us to a generous selection of Swiss chocolates and snacks, and handed out magazines and other take-home materials, which was a fun bonus.

Our final visit of the day was with the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC), which maintains a satellite office in Switzerland to stay closely connected with the IOC. During our meeting, we had a thoughtful conversation with one of Dr. Kim’s former colleague and another member, covering a wide range of topics including the financial structure of their organization, cultural considerations, event management strategies, and efforts toward gender parity in sports.

After an inspiring day of meetings, we headed back to the hotel, did some laundry at a local laundromat, and then regrouped for dinner. We ended the night with a delicious meal at a Thai restaurant in town. For some people in the group, it was their first time trying Thai food, and the Pad Thai was an instant favorite. We took a leisurely walk back to the hotel, laughing and chatting the whole way, enjoying the atmosphere and checking out local neighborhood spots along the way. It was the perfect way to close out an incredibly enriching and enjoyable day.