Anchor: South Korea's southwestern city of Gwangju is gearing up to host the largest ever Summer Universiade next month. Protecting the health of the athletes has become a top priority for organizers as the games come in the wake of the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
Our Kim In-kyung has more.
 
Report: The 2015 Gwangju Universiade will be held for 12 days in Gwangju and the surrounding Jeolla region beginning July 3.
 
The torch for the Universiade left Jeju Island on June 4 and is touring the nation to promote the games.
 
Some 20-thousand athletes, coaches and administrators from about 170 countries are expected to participate in 21 events in the largest Universiade games ever.
  
The biggest obstacle facing organizers of the Universiade is the current outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
 
The health of the athletes is taking top priority as the international games will be held before the virus has completely ceased to spread in South Korea.
 
To protect the athletes, the organizing committee will operate sports team-only cars on KTX high speed trains and will set up clinics in each stadium.
 
Mark Vandenplas, the Summer Universiade director, said he is trying to ensure that the athletes participate.
 
[Sound bite: Mark Vandenplas - director, Summer Universiade (English)]
"A few of them are a bit reluctant to come, but we are trying to convince them that there is really no fear if they’re just following everything what our doctor is telling them."
 
The South Korean government has vowed full support to ensure the success of the games, but MERS is casting a shadow as the world’s number one female rhythmic gymnast, Margarita Mamun, of Russia is said to have decided not to participate in the games over fears of contracting the virus.
Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.