It will be in the magnificent setting of Castello del Valentino, the historic headquarters of the Politecnico di Torino, where the flame for the next FISU Winter World University Games will be lit and where the torch prototype was officially unveiled this week.
The Rector of the Politecnico di Torino Guido Saracco gave the honor at the press conference, which was followed by institutional congratulations from the Vice-Rector for Welfare, Sustainability and Sport of the Università degli Studi di Torino Alberto Rainoldi, from the FISU President Leonz Eder, the Sports Councilor of the Regione Piemonte Fabrizio Rica, the Deputy Mayor of Turin Michela Favaro, the President of CUS Turin Riccardo D’Elisio and the President of the Organizing Committee of the Games of Turin 2025 Alessandro Ciro Scirretti.
The guest of honor at the opening was Italian sports legend Livio Berruti, who won three gold medals in athletics (100m, 200m, 4x100m) at his first Universiade in Turin in 1959. He later added another gold medal in the 4s. ×100 at the 1967 Tokyo Universiade and two bronze medals in the 100m and 200m at Porto Alegre in 1963. He also won the Olympic title (along with a world record) in the 200m at the 1960 Rome Olympics .Beruti was also the last torchbearer to light the cauldron during the opening ceremony of the 2007 Turin Winter Universiade.
In the spirit of sport as a tool for change, a means of learning, growth, integration and inclusion and with the aim of achieving four of the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda (good health and well-being for people, equal and quality education, gender equality , sustainable cities and communities) the “Torch of Turin 2025” project was born.
Eight torch concepts were developed with the ‘La Guarini’ and ‘Lafleur’ designs selected as finalists. Both concepts integrate LED lighting, recyclable materials and the ability to function as lighting artifacts. The last concept chosen was “La Guarini”, inspired by the six concentric hexagonal levels of the dome of the Shroud of Turin Cathedral, designed by Guarino Guarini and partly honoring the fourth centenary of the great architect. The project was created by students Gianluca Basile, Giovanni Bergadano and Matteo Bizzarri.
The FISU President spoke about the torch and the upcoming relay. “Torino is the cradle of our games and it is great that the Torch project was carried out by students from the Politecnico di Torino, conveying a message of sustainability and heritage for their own territory.” I wish the Flame of Knowledge well, which will start in Turin on September 20, on the occasion of the International University Sports Day, and end on January 13th2025, on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the Games in Turin.’
Antonio Dima, president of FederCUSI, added: “The Universiade torch has always represented the ‘Olympic’ and cultural flavor of our movement at the international level: a combination of values that makes it unique throughout the world.” FederCUSI strongly believes in this event as a launching pad for future generations of sports and community managers, but also to promote the invisible medals of brotherhood, fair play and peace. With great confidence we stand by the Turin 2025 Organizing Committee, with which the common goal is increasingly synergistic.”
More information about the torch and the relay can be found here.
