The sixth European Universities Games (EUG) 2024 took place in the two Hungarian cities of Debrecen and Miskolc from July 12 to 24. With 19 podium places (six gold, seven silver and six bronze), the German universities took sixth place in the national rankings. The German delegation was the second largest team with 436 participants, including 381 athletes from 59 German universities or competition groups (WG). The German athletes were represented in 14 sports.

4,513 athletes and officials from 36 nations took part in the EUG 2024. Students from 414 universities competed for medals and personal bests in 18 sports. More than 800 volunteers contributed significantly to the success of the international multi-sport event.

A total of 76 athletes and officials took part on behalf of the Karlsruhe competition team and showed impressive performances in exciting matches. The following placings were achieved in the sports of beach handball, soccer, taekwondo and soccer:

Volleyball | 08. - 17.07.24 | Miskolc, Hungary | 6th place

Women's soccer | 09. - 18.07.24 | Debrecen, Hungary | 6th place

Soccer Men | 09. - 18.07.24 | Debrecen, Hungary | 4th place

Taekwondo | 19 - 24.07.24 | Miskolc, Hungary | 5th place (Jessica Wolf), 5th place (Kaize Zhou)

Beach Handball Women | 20. - 25.07.24 | Debrecen, Hungary | 5th place

Beach Handball Men | 20. - 25.07.24 | Debrecen, Hungary | 6th place

In addition to the good placings, the beach handball men also won the Fair Play Award, and with Ariane Roth, the beach handball women had the best scorer of the tournament (68 points).

All results and reports can be found here: https: //www.ifss.kit.edu/hochschulsport/EUGungarn2024.php

EUG 2024 unfortunately also with negative aspects

In contrast to past European Games and Championships, however, the EUG 2024 in Hungary was subject to a number of incidents that we do not want to leave uncommented. Topics such as nationalism, the shift to the right in Europe, fascism and homophobia were omnipresent. Nazi slogans were shouted, threats of disqualification were made for using the LGBTQ flag and rainbow colors, and Hungarian politicians sang nationalist songs on stage during the closing ceremony.

Unfortunately, according to our information, there was no reaction or clear statement from the associations and officials present on site when the incidents were reported.

These incidents are contrary to what we as KIT University Sports stand for and are committed to. Sport unites, builds bridges, is colorful and diverse. Sport does not exclude anyone and does not discriminate.

Despite these negative experiences, the positive impressions and sporting highlights, the hospitality shown in many places, as well as the organization on site and the mutual support of the teams from all over Europe outweigh the negative experiences. What remains in our minds is a great European Championship with many wonderful moments. We are already looking forward to the European Universities Games 2026 in Salerno, Italy!