The 31st winter edition of the FISU World University Games took place in Lake Placid, USA from 12-22 January 2023. This was the second time Lake Placid has hosted the FISU Games Winter and making it the only location outside of Europe or Asia to play host.
“There can be no doubt: Lake Placid is the place of legends for winter sports. We are reminded of this, just walking into this building and seeing the reminders of the ‘Miracle on Ice.’ We knew this was and is a very special place. And we had the privilege to be part of it,” said FISU Acting President Leonz Eder in the Herb Brooks Arena during the closing ceremony.
“Here, in winter, Lake Placid has brought unprecedented warmth to our Games. In a complicated world, full of conflict, this wonderful community has offered us an open heart. Let us not underestimate how lucky we are to have been able to enjoy these 11 days of joyous and peaceful celebration in sport,” he added.
1,443 student athletes and 733 officials from 46 countries, representing more than 540 universities, participated in 12 sports in Lake Placid. Competition took place in 85 medal events in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, curling, snowboard, freestyle and freeski, ski jumping, Nordic combined, speed skating, short-track speed skating, biathlon, figure skating, and ice hockey. Japan led the way winning 48 medals, while Korea finished second with 29, and France third with 18.
Next Up - Torino 2025 FISU World University Games
The 32nd FISU World University Games Winter will return to a familiar home in Torino, Italy. For the fourth time overall, and second time as the FISU Games Winter host, Torino and the Piedmont region will welcome the world's student-athletes from 13-23 January 2025.
Five communities will host events as part of the Torino 2025 FISU Games with Torino holding ice hockey, curling, figure skating, and short track speed skating. Alpine skiing, snowboard, and freestyle and freeski will take place under 100km from Torino in Bardonecchia. Pragelato will host biathlon and cross-country skiing competition, while Pinerolo and Torre Pellice will welcome round robin action in men's ice hockey. Additional optional sports are currently under consideration.
Sports will, for the first time, be accompanied by academic competition at the Torino 2025 FISU Games. The #TO25 BRAINstorm academic challenge will gather top university students from around the world who will compete for medals, just as will their sporting counterparts. 12 mind disciplines will be selected by the four Piedmont universities and students with chosen themes linked to challenges of the moment to which they will respond through projects and proposals.
In many ways the Torino 2025 FISU Games will be a return home for FISU, which was founded in the Italian city in 1949. The world's students will again bring a spotlight to it for 11 days of great competition in early 2025.
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