BEIJING – Today, May 4th, the torch relay for the 26th Summer Universiade kicked-off at Peking University, marking the 100-day countdown to the opening of FISU’s main event.
At the presence of hundreds of students and teaching staff, Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang lit the main torch from a cauldron at a ceremony held in front of the Peking University Hall.
“I declare the start of the torch relay for the 26th Summer Universiade”, Li said after handing the torch to Xing Yan’an, a Peking University postgraduate who was the first relay runner.
The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen will host the 26th Summer Universiade from August 12th-23rd, 10 years after Beijing held the 21st event in 2001.
A total of 54 torch bearers chosen from all walks of life took part in the relay on the Peking University campus.
The flame, which was kindled on April 25th at Tsinghua University in Beijing, will be carried through Shenzhen University on May 10th before Guangzhou University Town takes the baton on May 15th. The torch will also be passed around the city of Shenzhen on August 10t and 11th before the opening of the Universiade.
An estimated 13,000 participants from more than 180 countries and regions will take part in the 11-day event.
(Source: Shenzhen OC)
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang lights up the torch during the Torch Relay Launch Ceremony
Stefan Bergh, FISU Vice-President
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