17 January 2022 | FISU All roads point to China and the United States this year in preparations for the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games this summer and the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games next winter. It is with fire and tradition that FISU kicked off this year by holding its Flame Relay and flag handover ceremonies in Turin, Italy, on Monday 17 January. Exceptionally, both ceremonies took place at the same time in the historic courtyard of the Torino University. “It is with great enthusiasm that we start of the new year with such a meaningful event. Every time I see another host city carry the FISU flag and the FISU flame back to their respective new homes, it brings me joy to know that the tradition is being carried on with pride and new ambition from one generation to the next,” said FISU Acting President Leonz Eder. The ceremony consisted exceptionally of two main events: The Flame Relay, which is now on its way to Chengdu, China, for the next summer edition of the FISU World University Games on 26 June – 7 July 2022, and the flag handover from Lucerne 2021 to the organising committee of Lake Placid 2023, the next hosts of the winter edition of the FISU Games on 12-22 January 2023. FISU Acting President, the Rector of Torino University, the Rector of Polytechnic University, the CUS Torino President and CUSI representative along with students and volunteers all took part in the FISU Flame Relay, before handing it over symbolically to Rongbao – The Chengdu 2021 FISU Games mascot – to bring back to China. “The flame symbolises brightness and dreams. It enlightens the world with equity, unity and friendship, illuminates the FISU Games with progress and prosperity, and acts as a beacon to inspire university students worldwide to come together, grow together and create a mutually beneficial future together,” said Fengchao Wang, Mayor of Chengdu, Vice President of the Organising Committee of the Chengdu 2021 FISU Games, and President of the Chengdu 2021 Executive Committee. “While Covid-19 is still surging, I believe the FISU Games flame could bring confidence, warmth and hope back to us.” Today was also marked by the official handover of the FISU flag from the Lucerne 2021 Organising Committee to Lake Placid 2023, who will be bringing the flag back to USA and celebrate their FISU Flag Raising Ceremony on 22 January. “It has been nearly 50 years since the FISU flag has been flown in Lake Placid. We are honoured to have the opportunity to travel to Torino to receive the flag from Lucerne and look forward to displaying it once again in Lake Placid as we count down the days to the opening ceremony,” said Ashley Walden, Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games Organizing Committee’s Chief Operating Officer. Village of Lake Placid Mayor Art Devlin added: “When Lake Placid was awarded the FISU World University Games in March of 2018, Lake Placid became a beehive of activity. Our Olympic sites have undergone total revitalisation. By the time the FISU World University Games come to Lake Placid, all of our venues will be world-class and will benefit Lake Placid for many years to come. The FISU Games will leave a legacy behind in the improvements they will bring to Lake Placid area. Affordable housing, Main Street revitalization and improvements to its hotels and businesses, just to name a few. On January 12, 2023, Lake Placid will be ready and proud to once again welcome the world.” For the first time, Wulli and Adirondack Mac – the mascots of Lucerne 2021 and Lake Placid 2023 respectively – were united on stage to witness the handing over of the responsibility of the FISU flag from one organiser to the next. FISU (International University Sports Federation) Since its founding in 1949, the International University Sports Federation is the key driver to expand the role and reach of university sport around the world. FISU believes that sports values and sports practice work in perfect synchronicity within one’s university studies. FISU also promotes healthy living on Campuses through its FISU Healthy Campus programme and encourages the development of a progressive society through its educational events. Find out more on FISU.net and social media. Watch live sports and video on demand on FISU.tv FISU World University Games The FISU World University Games are the largest international multi-sport events for student-athletes and the second largest multi-sport events after the Olympic Games. Every two years, FISU choses two host cities to organise the winter and summer editions of the FISU Games. This global competition is a place where students aged 17 to 25 from around the world compete to be proclaimed the world’s number one student-athlete in their sport discipline. The FISU Games consist or sport competitions, conferences, legacy projects for the host’s region and is where future world champions are discovered.
Press release: FISU Flame Relay on its way to China as FISU flag heads to USA
