Napoli 2019: Summer Universiade Relay Torch Tours Major Cities, Universities
ABIODUN JIMOH, BENIN CITY
As the 30th International University Sports Federation (FISU) slated for July 3rd-14th, 2019 in Napoli is fast approaching, and with the ignition of the FISU Flame in Torino, the torch relay is already igniting enthusiasm across cities and university campuses as a lead-up to the Napoli 2019 Summer Universiade.
It could be recalled that 60 years ago, Torino ushered in the inaugural Summer Universiade, an event so well received by athletes, coaches and fans alike that it was a game changer for university sport.
At the opening of the event, FISU President Oleg Matytsin noted how the torch relay works as a marquee, one that mobilises the University Sport Movement community in the lead-up to a Universiade.
President Matytsin said: “The biggest sports festival for student athletes of the world is back to the birthplace of the Universiade, sunny and hospitable Italy. As the motto of this edition of the Universiade says, it will be a unique event
This year’s route for the games started on Monday, June 3rd at the University of Turin campus before traversing down stately boulevards and grand squares en route to the day’s final destination of the Castello del Valentino, a headquarters of the Polytechnic University of Turin.
From there, the Universiade Flame heads off to the University of Lausanne campus beside the FISU headquarters on Thursday before heading back to Italy, reaching Milano next Monday.
From Milano, the flame hopscotches its way south while taking in World Heritage Sites such as the Rome Colosseum and the Vatican, the latter to receive a solemn blessing from the Pope. In lesser-known locales, the route plays on the charm of local favourite spots.
The flame will continue as far south as Matera, this year’s European Capital of Culture, before heading back up for the final five stops in the Campania Region. This ‘tour inside the tour’ touches, in quick succession, the five cities (Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, Salerno, Napoli) where athletes will take to the field of play.
The relay will culminate at the San Paulo Stadium on July 3rd for the opening ceremony of Napoli 2019 Summer Universiade, whereby 8,000 university student-athletes from over 150 countries are expected to compete in the twelve-day event, which consists of 222 medal events across 18 sports disciplines.
However, FISU President was joined on stage for the opening proceedings by some heavy-hitters in the arenas of politics and sports governance. This included Fulvio Bonavitacola, Vice President of Regione Campania; Gianluca Basile, Extraordinary Commissioner of Napoli 2019.
Others are Gianmaria Ajani, Rector of the University of Turin; Guido Saracco, Rector of Polytechnic University of Turin; Chiara Appendino, Torino Mayor; Lorenzo Lentini, CUSI President; and Riccardo D’Elicio, President of CUS Torino.
The ceremony will end with a live show symbolising the imaginary meeting of the Mermaid Parthenope, official mascot of the Napoli 2019 Summer Universiade.
