It will be at the wonderful setting of the Castello del Valentino, the historic headquarters of the Politecnico di Torino, where the flame for the next FISU World University Games Winter will be lit and where the prototype of the Torch was officially unveiled this week.
The Rector of the Politecnico di Torino Guido Saracco did the honours at the press conference, which was followed by institutional greetings from the vice-rector for Welfare, Sustainability and Sport of the Università degli Studi di Torino Alberto Rainoldi, from FISU President Leonz Eder, the sports councillor of the Regione Piemonte Fabrizio Ricca, the vice-mayor of Torino Michela Favaro, the president of the CUS Torino Riccardo D’Elicio and the president of the Organizing Committee of the Torino 2025 Games Alessandro Ciro Sciretti.
The guest of honour at the unveiling was a legend of Italian sport, Livio Berruti, who won three gold medals in athletics (100m, 200m, 4×100m) at his first Universiade in Torino in 1959. He later added another gold in the 4×100 at the Tokyo Universiade in 1967, and two bronze medals in the 100m and 200m in Porto Alegre in 1963. In addition he claimed the Olympic title (complete with a world record) in the 200 metres at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Berruti was also the last torchbearer who lit the cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Torino 2007 Winter Universiade.
In the spirit of sport as an instrument for change, a vehicle for training, growth, integration, and inclusion, and in aiming to achieve four of the United Nations 2030 Agenda objectives (good health and well-being for people, equal and quality education, gender equality, sustainable cities and communities) the Torch of Torino 2025 project was born.
Eight torch concepts were developed with the “La Guarini” and “Lafleur” projects chosen as finalists. Both concepts integrated LED lighting, recyclable materials, and the ability to function as lighting artifacts. The final concept chosen was “La Guarini”, inspired by the six concentric hexagonal levels of the Torino Cathedral chapel’s Dome of the Holy Shroud designed by Guarino Guarini and in part respecting the fourth centenary of the great architect. The project was created by the students Gianluca Basile, Giovanni Bergadano and Matteo Bizzarri.
FISU President spoke about the torch and upcoming relay. “Torino is the cradle of our Games and it is wonderful that the Torch project was carried out by students of the Politecnico di Torino, transmitting a message of sustainability and legacy for their own territory. I wish the Flame of Knowledge a good journey which will start from Turin on September 20th, on the occasion of the International University Sports Day and will end on January 13th, 2025, on the occasion of the Opening Ceremony of the Torino Games.”
Antonio Dima, President of FederCUSI, added, “The Universiade Torch has always represented the “Olympic” and cultural flavor of our movement at an 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 society managers but also to promote the invisible medals of brotherhood, fair play, and peace. With great confidence we stand alongside the Torino 2025 Organizing Committee with which the common purpose is increasingly synergistic.”
More information on the torch and the relay can be found here.
Files and information provided by Alberto Dolfin and Torino 2025 FISU Games Organising Committee
(Photos courtesy Torino 2025/Barbieri)
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