OTTAWA (CIS) - Canadian Interuniversity Sport announced on Tuesday the selection of the City of Edmonton / University of Alberta as the Canadian city to partner with in their pursuit to host the 2011 Summer Universiade in Canada.

Calgary / University of Calgary had submitted a bid to CIS to host the 2011 Winter Universiade.

Edmonton hosted the Summer Universiade in 1983.

"The CIS Board was presented with two outstanding bids from both Calgary and Edmonton," commented Jean-Guy Ouellette, Chair of the CIS International Committee. "It was a difficult decision to select one city to continue in the bid process with, as we were confident that both communities had the experience and capacity to deliver an outstanding set of Games."

"The City of Edmonton hosted a very successful Summer Universiade in 1983, and subject to everything falling into place in the next phase of the bidding process, it would be wonderful to bring the Games back to Canada in 2011, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Canadian Interuniversity Sport," said Marg McGregor, Chief Executive Officer of CIS. "Bringing the Games to Canada would contribute to the Canadian Sport Policy's aim of strengthening sport development."

The Edmonton bid involved many sporting events as well as the athletes village taking place on campus. This presence on campus was viewed in a favorable light by the CIS Board in making their selection, in that it provided an opportunity for university students to get engaged and involved in the Universiade Games.

"The University of Alberta and City of Edmonton are delighted and honored that the CIS has selected Alberta's capital city and premiere university to bid on the 2011 Summer Universiade," stated Mike Mahon, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta. "Over the years, Edmonton and the University have made a very substantial investment in, and commitment to, building outstanding sporting venues fit for international events such as this."

"Our history shows we are exceptional hosts to the world and we are proud to be able to continue that legacy through the 2011 Summer Universiade," added Al Maurer, City Manager, City of Edmonton.

The next steps in the bidding process, prior to taking the bid internationally, involves finalizing funding, a business plan, and meeting the terms and conditions set forth by CIS and by the Fédération Internationale du Sports Universitaire (FISU).

The Board of Directors will decide in April 2006 if Edmonton has satisfied the requirements, and whether CIS will elect to take the bid internationally and submit a letter of intent to bid to FISU on behalf of the bid committee in June.

Should a Canadian bid go forward to FISU, representatives from the international organization will visit Edmonton and other cities bidding for the 2011 Summer Universiade during the fall of 2006. Final bid presentations will be made at the 2007 Winter Universiade in Turin, Italy on January 15th, 2007, and FISU will announce the host of the 2011 Summer Universiade on January 16th of the same year.

The proposed dates of the 2011 Summer Universiade are June 30 to July 10.

The Summer and Winter Universiades are multi-sports events that take place every two years, and are second in size only to the Olympic Games. The Universiade is open to competitors between the ages of 17 and 28 in the year of the Games, who are full-time post-secondary students (university, college,) or have graduated from a post-secondary institution within the previous year of the event.

-CI