I want to thank everyone who braved the single-digit temperatures on Jan. 22 to be a part of the official FISU flag-raising ceremony at Mid’s Park in Lake Placid. On behalf of my staff, we look forward to counting down the months and days to the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games’ opening ceremony.

There’s still much work to do, but the Jan. 22 ceremony was a great time to acknowledge the efforts already made to prepare Lake Placid and the surrounding North Country region for the Jan. 12-22, 2023 FISU World University Games and the anticipated 2,500 athletes and delegates from around the globe.

I also want to recognize the people behind the scenes who made the event so successful. They include the Lake Placid Police Department, Lake Placid Electric Department, Lake Placid Highway Department, Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department, Eric Wilson and Good Guy Productions, Stuart Hemsley, the Lake Placid High School Band as well as the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games’ staff and volunteers.

I also appreciated seeing Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism President/CEO Jim McKenna, former Lake Placid Mayor Craig Randall, former Olympic Regional Development Authority Vice President Jeff Byrne and others responsible for bringing the Games here.

The excitement and encouragement from Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, Lake Placid Mayor Art Devlin, North Elba Supervisor Derek Doty, state Sen. Dan Stec and ORDA President/CEO Mike Pratt serve as an acknowledgement for the continuing efforts to revitalize Lake Placid’s venues and highlight the future when we will welcome the world once again.

Yours in sport,

Ashley Walden

CEO, Adirondack Sports Council

COO, Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games