North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper presented the state’s official bid to host the 2027 World University Games Tuesday morning. Cooper hosted the games’ executive board at the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh to “demonstrate the state’s ability and desire to host” the games in the University Hub region, according to a release from the Governor’s Office. The University Hub region includes Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary and Greensboro and features 19 colleges and universities. Organizers say the Games could bring as much $300 million in revenue.

This was the board’s final visit to the state before a host is announced this November. The only other finalist is Chungcheong, South Korea.

“Not only are North Carolina’s universities and colleges great at sports, they are top tier educational and research institutions,” Cooper said in the release, “making our state an ideal location for the 2027 World University Games.”

Cooper also signed a proclamation declaring September 20, 2022 as International University Sports Day, and presented the proclamation and bid book to officials from the executive board. Cooper’s 2022 state budget also includes an allocation of $25 million in state funds to support the Games if the state is selected as host.

The World University Games have been contested for more than 60 years and are the world’s largest event for student-athletes. Recent iterations of the Summer Games have featured as many as 12,000 athletes and visited locations such as Naples, Italy and Beijing, China. The United States has only hosted the Summer Games once, when it came to Buffalo in 1993.

“If we were to get the games, over 600,000 people would come to the Triangle area, which would be great for our economy,” Chapel Hill mayor Pam Hemminger told 97.9 The Hill in August. “There’s other things to do besides the Games, because it brings a lot of visitors to the area as well. So this could be huge. They would put them up in dorms. They were going out, looking at the dorm rooms as well… on a hot day. They had a good walkabout on campus. They had been at NC State and Duke, and they were going to some other campuses as well.”

 

Featured image via The News & Observer/Ethan Hyman

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Study: 'Habitual' Social Media Use Changes Kids' Brain Development
Do you remember the time before social media? For children and young adults, social media is a significant part of their lives — and we’re still learning how it’s affecting them.  A study conducted by UNC researchers found a habitual checking of social media can impact brain development in adolescents. 
UNC: 57 Sinks in Residence Hall Return Detectable Lead in Tests
As UNC continues its testing of older campus facilities for lead in the water, one residence hall saw nearly two-thirds of its in-room sinks return results with detectable levels of the chemical. A release from the university’s media relations department on Tuesday said 57 of the 84 in-room sinks for Spencer Residence Hall returned tests […]
UNC Women's Lacrosse Coach Jenny Levy Inducted into National Lacrosse Hall of Fame
UNC women’s lacrosse head coach Jenny Levy, a three-time NCAA champion with the Tar Heels and 2022 world champion with Team USA, was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame on Saturday. She is a member of the Hall’s Class of 2021, whose induction was delayed due to the pandemic. Jenny Levy in the […]
Drake Maye's Late Heroics Lift UNC Football Past Duke in Thriller
If Carolina football fans thought they’d seen it all after the win in Boone, Saturday night’s contest in Durham proved them wrong. In a surreal rivalry matchup, the Tar Heels defeated Duke 38-35 on a touchdown pass from Drake Maye to Antoine Green with 16 seconds left. It’s Carolina’s fourth straight win over the Blue […]
Report: Hillsborough Home Invader Caught Red-Fingered
During home invasions, those who break-in sometimes leave clues or tips that authorities use to aid their searches. But very rarely do the home invaders leave behind an actual tip of a body part. The Associated Press reports Hillsborough resident Vernon Wilson was arrested this week after investigators identified him by a finger left at […]
Mack Brown Praises Defensive Improvement Following Win at Miami
After the Tar Heels allowed 45 points in their first loss of the season to Notre Dame, they’ve allowed just 34 combined in the past two games, both ACC wins.
Orange County Under Tropical Storm Warning; Schools Cancel Friday Classes
After making an intense landfall in Cuba, battering Florida and moving through South Carolina, Tropical Storm Ian will soon reach North Carolina. The National Weather Service issued a Tropical Storm Warning for much of the state on Thursday, with Orange County included in the alert. The federal agency said high winds and heavy rain can […]
Notre Dame Punishes Porous UNC Defense, Hands Tar Heels 1st Loss
Carolina entered its game with Notre Dame Saturday afternoon with a chance to prove something to national voters who hadn't recognized its 3-0 start with a ranking. And the Tar Heels did end up proving something: they proved those voters right.
UNC's 'Zombie Preparedness Festival' Educates Students on Emergency Prep
The Pit on UNC’s campus is treated as a central hub of activity during the school year. Walking by, you can typically see just about anything happening nearby. On Thursday, that included zombies.
Roy Cooper Leads North Carolina Bid to Host 2027 World University Games
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper presented the state’s official bid to host the 2027 World University Games Tuesday morning. Cooper hosted the games’ executive board at the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh to “demonstrate the state’s ability and desire to host” the games in the University Hub region, according to a release from the Governor’s Office. […]
›