WHEREAS, international sport and world class athletics in New York State brings great value and historical pride to the State in welcoming all nations and participating in such events;

WHEREAS, the State has long supported the development of the tourism industry throughout the State and, more specifically, has continued to support tourism growth across the North Country;

WHEREAS, in 2016, nearly 12 million people visited the Adirondack region – 250,000 more visitors than the previous year, generating nearly $1.35 billion in direct visitor spending;

WHEREAS, the World University Games (the “Games”), organized by International University Sports Federation (“FISU”), is an international sports and cultural event staged every two years in a different city and country and is the largest global winter multi-sports event for student athletes;

WHEREAS, FISU, an international non-profit association founded in 1949 within universities, promotes sporting values and encourages top performances in international competitions in harmony with and complementary to the values of higher education;

WHEREAS, the 11-day competition draws over 2,400 student-athletes together to compete in various disciplines including alpine, freestyle and cross-country skiing, biathlon, speed skating, curling, figure skating, hockey, short track speed skating, snowboarding, and more;

WHEREAS, representatives from the State, the Village of Lake Placid (the “Village”), and the Adirondack North Country Sports Council, submitted a bid to become host of the 2023 World University Games and on March 5, 2018, FISU selected the Village as the host city for the Games;

WHEREAS, this will be the second time Lake Placid has hosted the Games, the first time being in 1972, and the third time New York State has hosted, with Buffalo hosting in 1993. The Games have never been hosted by another state in the United States;

WHEREAS, hosting the 2023 World University Games in the Village will result in substantial development and redevelopment in the State, the North Country region, and more specifically, in the Village, which will lead to an unprecedented number of visitors to experience the Village and its many cultural, historic and recreational opportunities, thereby greatly stimulating the economy in both the Village and the State;

WHEREAS, hosting an international competition of this magnitude and scale will require involvement of the region, participation of multiple state agencies and authorities, partnering with the State University of New York and private colleges and universities for sports venues and volunteers, using sports venues managed by the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority and regional hospitality facilities and venues in Saranac Lake, Wilmington, and more; and

WHEREAS, the closest possible coordination between the State, the Village, local elected officials, and community groups will be required to support the success of the event and the State wants to support the Games in a manner that ensures that the event is organized in the best possible manner and under the best possible conditions for the benefit of the world university sports movement; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDREW M. CUOMO, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, do hereby establish the New York State World University Games Commission to develop and implement a plan to support the successful implementation of the 2023 World University Games.

I. Membership

The members of New York State World University Games Commission (“Commission”) shall include the Chancellor of the State University of New York, or his or her designee, the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation or his or her designee, the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, or his or her designee, the Commissioner of General Services, or his or her designee, the Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation or his or her designee, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York State Urban Development Corporation, or his or her designee, the Superintendent of the State Police, or his or her designee, the Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, or his or her designee, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority, or his or her designee, the Director of the Division of the Budget, or his or her designee, and any additional members as appointed by the Governor, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Governor shall designate a Chairperson of the Commission from among the members of the Commission. The members of the Commission shall receive no compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for any reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties. Service on the Commission shall not constitute public employment for purposes of disqualification from holding public office or employment.

II. Responsibilities and Powers

The Commission shall be responsible for providing oversight and coordination of all efforts of State government with respect to both to bringing the 2023 World University Games to the Village of Lake Placid and working with the Organizing Committee in the planning and implementation of the 2023 World University Games. In this regard, the Commission is charged with the following duties:

1. to coordinate the State’s involvement in preparing for, organizing and providing assistance to the efforts of World University Games Organizing Committee for the 2023 World University Games;

2. to coordinate the State’s efforts in obtaining, preparing for, organizing and providing facilities and other public improvements and the necessary public services for the 2023 World University Games, and to promote the success of such Games;

3. to work in cooperation with and assist the Village, the Organizing Committee and FISU and all relevant units of government to accomplish the purposes of the Commission as set out in this Order;

4. with respect to security, to identify all appropriate and necessary measures in order to ensure the safe and peaceful celebration of the 2023 World University Games, including the financial, planning and operational aspects related thereto; and

5. to consult with the Village, the Organizing Committee and FISU regarding the preparation of security for the 2023 World University Games including responding to any specific questions raised to the extent that the release of such information will not pose a threat to security protocols.

III. Cooperation of Other State Agencies and Entities

Each agency, department, office, division, and public authority of this State is hereby required to cooperate with the Commission and to furnish the Commission with such information, personnel, and assistance as may be permitted by law in furtherance of accomplishing the purposes of this Order.