JEJU ISLAND – On 4 June 4, the Gwangju Universiade torch relay began its 22 day journey on Jeju Island at Seongsan Ilchulbong.
The torch relay started with exciting cultural events which included musical and traditional dance performances at the Seongsan Ilchulbong plaza. The Seogwipo City Vice-Mayor handed the torch to the first torcher bearer.
On 4 June, the Gwangju Universiade torch relay began its 22 day journey in Jeju Island at Seongsan Ilchulbong.The relay route includes 5 zones in Seongsan Ilchulbong, Marina intersection, and the Jeju Provincial Government. The torch started from the Jeju Provincial Government to Jeju National University, and then it will be delivered to Incheon on June 5.
The torch will shine throughout the nation delivering hope and passion by 3,150 runners. The pinnacle of the journey will come on 3 July at the Universiade Main Stadium in Gwangju when the flame will light the cauldron at the Gwangju Universiade Opening Ceremony.
The relay will have cultural themes in 9 regions. Each region will host festivals that embrace the local culture to enhance the value of “Cultureversiade.”
Over 3,000 people will be running in the torch relay. Famous runners like Ki Bo-bae, a gold medalist at the 2012 London Olympics in archery and also the ambassador of the 2015 Universiade Gwangju, and Yoon Yong-bal, a gold medalist in judo from the 1985 Universiade Kobe will be participating. The gold medalist in the table tennis at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Yoo Nam-kyu, will be joining this relay as well for the Summer Universiade in Gwangju.
(Source: GUOC 2015)