NAPLES, Italy, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The Ambassador of Napoli 2019 Summer Universiade Massibiliano Rosolino and two athletes representatives attended the press conference here on Monday to express their affections on the event and the city.
The former swimming star in Italy Rosolino spoke of how his hometown of Napoli was the perfect setting that allowed him to get through the grind and become Olympic champion.
"Difficulties are not always the problem," he said of his growing up years. "They also have a value. Naples faced difficult realities back then, but they educated me and pushed me to exceed my limits to excel. The organization of this Universiade is the proof of how far we have come."
Australian basketball player Eziyoda Magbegor will make her Universiade debut in Napoli. "What I'm most excited about is competing against a range of countries and some of the best athletes in the world in this amazing atmosphere," she said.
At the age of 19, Magbegor is already a sensation in her sport. She will soon embark on her professional career with Seattle Storm of the WNBA.
Lauren Reedy, who placed first in the USA Diving Winter Trials last year and has represented Team USA at the FINA World Championships as well as the 2015 Summer Universiade, said her experience four years ago helped her make a difficult decision.
"I had to decide between the World Championships and the Universiade," she said. "but it was my dream to come here. Remembering my time at the Summer Universiade 2015, it's an Olympic feeling at the village. So many athletes from all over the world and across so many sports. It's really a unique opportunity."
The Summer Universiade is the largest global multi-sports event for student-athletes and the Napoli 2019, drawing around 8,000 participants, will kick off on July 3.
