ROME/TRENTINO – “Pope Francis will light up the Trentino 2013 Winter Universiade’s torch. The lighting up ceremony will take place on November 6th.” This is what Sergio Anesi, Trentino WU’s OC President announced during a recent press conference held in Rome at Italy’s NOC headquarters. According to Italy’s NOC President, Giovanni Malagò, “The Universiade is an amazing opportunity to launch Italy’s nomination as seat of 2024 Olympic Games”.
University of Trento’s Industrial Engineering department designed the torch that recalls a mountain flower. After the first stop in Vatican City where the Pope will light the torch, the Universiade Flame will start an international tour stopping in Italy’s main university cities. Italy hosted the Universiade (Winter & Summer) 10 times, including this 26th edition, and the event – promoted by the Autonomous Province of Trento, University of Trento, Trento’s municipality and CUSI – is ready to be the biggest winter event to be hosted by Italy until 2020. About 3,600 participants coming from 60 nations will join the competition. The 26th WU is going to be a record numbers edition regarding participants.
As recalled by NOC President Malagò – while announcing the extraordinary meeting of Italy’s NOC board in Trento to celebrate its 100 years of activity – Trentino WU 2013 could be a perfect calling card for 2024. “Italy has big perspectives”, said Malagò. “The Universiade is a perfect stage, a huge event with record numbers. The Autonomous Province of Trento did an excellent job on the occasion of Fiemme 2013 Nordic Ski World Championships, as recognised at international level. The trust in your territory will not be let down, we as NOC are happy to participate in this new adventure”.
CUSI President Coiana added: “Our association agreed in collaborating in hosting this event because, for the first time, public bodies as the Autonomous Province of Trento and the University of Trento committed themselves in the organisation of this event linked to sport and culture. We give our thanks to everyone participating in this project, being sure that it will be a great one.”
Trentino’s President gave its praise to the huge work done by the Organising Committee: “The Universiade is indeed a sport event, but it is also an occasion to promote Italy’s and Trentino’s beauty to the world. A well organised event will show the world that our country is able to carry out a huge happening being a meeting place for thousands athletes and staff members. During competitions days athletes will surely carry out impressive sport performances and, at the same time, will have an opportunity to foster relations with athletes from other participating countries”.
The president of the Honour Committee, Innocenzo Cipolletta, announced that Italy’s Minister for education, university and research Maria Chiara Carrozza and the Minister of regional affairs Graziano Delrio accepted the co-presidency of this Committee.
University of Trento’s dean, Daria de Pretis, defined Trentino WU as “a huge event we are firmly supporting for the importance of sport linked to innovation and research. Sport means strain, contest and incentive in solving problems and research plays a key role in it. The 26th Winter Universiade is a precious opportunity of making such intents come true”.
Trento’s Mayor, Alessandro Andreatta, spread lights on the role his city will play: “Trento is an open minded city, a gateway to Europe, thanks to its university, research centres and the international event it hosts. We accepted this challenge trying to warranty safety and calm to better promote sport values”.
Sergio Anesi and the Secretary-General Filippo Bazzanella spread data about the 26th universiade “We are ready to assure to Italy and to the whole university world a huge global event”, said Anesi. “This happening can also count on the enthusiasm, professional skills, and volunteers as well as on a legacy that will be a useful resource for the future, composed by local communities, sport federations and associations, public and private bodies. Italy will be in the very hearth of university sport”.
During Rome’s press conference, Paolo Bouquet also presented the detailed progamme of the international conference “University Sport: Inspiring Innovation”, promoted by the University of Trento and taking place in Rovereto on December 9-10, 2013.
(Source: Trentino 2013 Winter Universiade)
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