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Home News SU 2017- Torch Relay in Napoli

SU 2017- Torch Relay in Napoli

FISU 23 June 2017

NAPOLI – The torch relay of the flame of the 2017 Summer Universiade continues its Italian journey after the ignition that took place two days ago in Torino, host city of the first Summer Universiade in 1959.
This time all eyes were resolutely turned towards the future with a nod to the organisers of the Summer Universiade of 2019 that will take place in the city of Naples and its region.


It was at the University of Salerno that the first relay took place: an 800-meter course on campus, from the scientific library to the ‘Gabriele De Rosa’ square. The city and university will be totally involved in the 2019 Summer Universiade and already this morning we could measure the enthusiasm among the students and volunteers who supported this official ceremony of the 2017 Summer Universiade Torch Relay. Several renowned champions took part in this relay, like Giampero Pastore (Medalist at the Olympic Games in Athens and Beijing in fencing (sabre)) or Claudia Mandia, who participated in the Rio Olympics in archery or Gennaro Gallo, a medalist at the World Rowing Championships, and finally Antonella Coppola, Italian handball champion.
Academic authorities also wanted to participate in this event, they were led by Aurelio Tommasetti, the rector of the University. In his speech, the rector reaffirmed his total support for the organisation of the Universiade in 2019 and wished the Taipei team good luck for the success of the 2017 edition this August.

From left to right: Lorenzo Lentini, CUSI President, Oleg Matytsin, FISU President and Aurelio Tommasetti, Rector of the Salerno university
FISU President Oleg Matytsin thanked all the participants of this relay: “I’m sure that Universiade will bring new knowledge, new energy, new hopes and opportunities to Campania region. On behalf of FISU, I would like to extend our gratitude to the University of Salerno, to CUSI, to city authorities and, of course, to all students and volunteers who made this ceremony happen!”
In the afternoon, the relay took place in the city of Naples and more particularly at the port and in the ‘Maritime Station Congress Hall’. Here too, some of the big names in sport were present for this beautiful ceremony: Patrizio Oliva, boxer and gold medalist at the Olympic Games in 1980, Davide Tizzano, rower and gold medalist of the Seoul and Atlanta Olympic Games, Clemente Russo, also a boxer, who won many medals including two silver at the Beijing Olympics, the list is not exhaustive.

From left to right: Chuang Chia-Jung, torch bearer and tennis champion, Su Li-Chiung, CEO of the Taipei 2017 Organising Committee and Raimondo Pasquino, President of the ARU, the Organising Committee of the Universiade Naples 2019

Also note that two Taipei athletes were present at both ceremonies: Chuang Chia-Jung, a well-known tennis champion in his country, and Wang chin Fang, a judoka who represented Chinese Taipei at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Gaetano Manfredi, Rector of the University of Naples

At the end of the relay, the authorities were present as well. Vincenzo De Luca, President of the Campania Region, welcomed the participants to this ceremony and reaffirmed his determination throughout the Region to offer the best conditions for student-athletes who will make the trip to Naples in 2019.
Gaetano Manfredi, Rector of the University of Naples, recalled how his university is involved in the city life and stressed the importance of sport in the development of students. He welcomed the arrival of the Universiade in 2019 and reiterated its full support for the Organising Committee.
Raimondo Pasquino, President of the ARU (the Organising Committee of the 2019 Summer Universiade) and Lorenzo Lentini, President of CUSI, welcomed the enthusiasm of the volunteers present for this relay. They recalled how popular support was needed to organise the Universiade in 2019.
The FISU President thanked the Organizing Committee for its work during this ceremony and welcomed the excellent collaboration between the OC of Naples and the OC of Taipei reverting to the academic spirit that animates such events. He invited the participants to follow closely the 2017 Universiade in Taipei and wished Su Li-Chiung, the representative of the OC, good luck with the games.

Su Li-Chiung, CEO of the Taipei 2017 Organising Committee with Vincenzo De Luca, President of the Campania Region 

Following the  Relay in Napoli, the torch will join Thailand’s Bangkok, host of the 2007 Summer Universiade; and Korea’s Daegu, host of the 2003 Summer Universiade. The domestic leg of the Torch Relay will see the flame visit all of the country’s 22 cities and counties. Future editions of the Torch Relay will feature stops in all five continents.

 The President of FISU, Oleg Matytsin (right) with the Mayor of Naples, Luigi de Magistris

Taipei 2017 will involve more than 7,700 student-athletes from 153 countries contesting 21 sports at 38 competition venues in Taipei, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, New Taipei City and Taoyuan City.

 Oleg Matytsin with the Torch relay Team from Tapei