Trentino WU opens on Historical Square

 Claude-Louis Gallien, during the opening speech

TRENTO – Tonight, 11 December, the official face-off for the 26^th Winter Universiade was given for a ten-day of competitive university winter sport extravaganza. More than 2,800 student-athletes and their coaches as well as officials from a record 52 countries will compete for the gold in 11 ice and snow sport disciplines, i.e. ice hockey, figure skating, short track, speed skating, curling, alpine skiing, biathlon, Nordic combined, cross country skiing, snowboard and biathlon.

After the traditional marching pass of all delegations into the Piazza Duomo in front of the historical cathedral, the OC President Sergio Anesi, the President of the Autonomous Province of Trento Ugo Rossi and the FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien welcomed the participants. The FISU President had a special message for the student-athletes. “Experiment the Universiade as a community power, belonging to all of you, together. Do not miss out this unique opportunity to communicate, to exchange and to share experience with young people from different regions and cultures! Unite your differences! Value your diversity!”

Team Canada, biggest ever

Applause erupted when the FISU flag arrived on the square and was hoisted while FISU’s anthem ‘Gaudeamus Igitur’ was played. After the Athletes’ and Officials Oaths, the delegations and general public witnessed a splendid cultural programme combining local tradition with modern technology.

Anticipation grew with the arrival of the Torch carrying the FISU flame which the previous weeks was touring Italy and a number of European countries. The lightning of the cauldron on top of the tower of the cathedral symbolised the readiness of the Universiade host city to finally start the long awaited International University Games which will last until 21 December!

FISU secured a record number of live broadcasting hours (170) for its event. Television Channels airing the competitions include Eurosport and Eurosport Asia-Pacific; CBS USA; RTR Russia; CCTV China; KBS Korea; KZTV Kazakhstan; Czech TV and RAI Sport Italy, bringing the games to the homes worldwide.

On the website the fans can watch many competitions, as well as the daily highlights in livestreaming.

Uggo Rossi, President of the autonomous Province of Trento (left) with Sergio Anesi, OC President

C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer, photos, Yvan Dufour