European Universities Games
Salerno 2026
July 18 - August 1

The Games enter the final stretch. Interview with Lorenzo Lentini, president of CUS Salerno

“We can look back on these first ten days of the Games with great pride. The outcome cannot be measured solely by the numbers. Those figures nevertheless speak volumes about the scale of the event: almost  2,000 athletes have already completed their experience, while another 2,000 have arrived over the past few days. Overall, we are hosting delegations from 31 European countries and 171 universities, confirming the international significance of the event.”

According to Lentini, the success of the Italian edition of the EUSA Games hosted in Salerno is the result of outstanding teamwork involving the University of Salerno, CUS Salerno, and ADISURC.

“Sports services, transportation, reception, and hospitality all ran smoothly thanks to the commitment of more than one thousand volunteers and staff members. My sincerest thanks go to every one of them. In an event of this magnitude, minor issues can always arise, but they were addressed – as they were throughout the Games – with professionalism, dedication, and passion. It is this spirit, together with the remarkable support shown by the city of Salerno, that has truly made the difference.”

Among the most memorable moments of the event, the President of CUS Salerno points to the Opening Ceremony held in Piazza della Libertà.

“It was undoubtedly the highlight of these EUG, with thousands of people taking part in a truly special evening celebrating student-athletes, officials, the entire university sports community, and, above all, the city of Salerno. What impresses me most is not only the outstanding attendance, but the emotion shared by everyone involved. That is the most precious memory of these days, and we hope to experience those same emotions once again during the Closing Ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, August 1, in Piazza del Sapere at the University of Salerno. It will be a moment of great symbolic importance, as it will mark the handover of the EUSA flag to Split, Croatia, host city of the next edition of the European Universities Games.”

Finally, Lentini reflects on the legacy that the event will leave to the local area.

“The legacy of this edition of the Games will be tangible and long-lasting. The University has developed new sports facilities, including eight padel courts, three tennis courts, beach volleyball and handball courts, in addition to its existing sports halls, semi-Olympic swimming pool, and other facilities. This valuable infrastructure will become an important resource for students, university sports, and the wider community, further strengthening our University’s position among Italy’s leading higher education institutions in terms of sports facilities.”