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Home News Universiade Torch reaches South Jeolla Province

Universiade Torch reaches South Jeolla Province

FISU 26 June 2015

 

 

SUNCHEON – On 25 June, the Universiade torch arrived in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province.

The Gwangju Universiade Organizing Committee (GUOC) has lit the Universiade torch on 18 May at Paris-Sorbonne University and carried out a torch lighting ceremony in Mount Mudeung National Park on 2 June.

The flame made its way through famous attractions including, Andong Hahoe Folk Village, Kyungjoo Cheomseongdae, and Chuncheon. Cultural events were also held when the torch arrived in each destination.

Kim Dong-hyun with his guide dog

Kim Dong-hyun, an IT technician at Happy & Web Media carried the torch with his guide dog named ‘Tanshilly’ in Cheonan on 11 June. As a blind torch bearer, Kim inspired many runners as he was passing off the torch in various points in the city.

Mothers with young children also took part in the nationwide torch relay in Cheonan. Choi Hae-won and Moon Jang-sook ran with their children in strollers across the town on 11 June.

On 12 June, the Universiade flame was winding its way through Lake Tangeum in Chungju, travelling by water. Lake Tangeum was chosen to be the rowing venue in Gwangju Universiade. The new rowing venue has hosted very successful international championships such as the 2013 World Rowing Championship.

The torch reaches Muju

On 19 and 20 June, the Universiade flame passed through Muju, the first city to ever host the Universiade in the Republic of Korea. Muju and Jeonju jointly hosted the 1997 Winter Universiade. Muju is also known as the hub of Korean martial arts and will host the next World Taekwondo Championships in 2017.

Everybody participates in the torch relay

3,150 runners will participate for the torch relay including Ki Bo-bae, Olympic gold medallist archer and ambassador of Universiade Gwangju 2015, and Yoon Yong-bal, 1985 Kobe Universiade gold medallist in judo

Sponsors such as SK C&C, SK Telecom, Kia Motors, Asiana Airlines, Samsung, Black Yak, and Hyundai Engineering & Construction are running with the torch bearers for support.

The Universiade torch will be delivered to the GUOC on 1 July from Naju and the flame will light the cauldron at the Gwangju Universiade Main Stadium on 3 July during the opening ceremony.

 

(Source: GUOC 2015)