“We are ready to kick off this party with our 2564 guests from 54 countries”

FISU President Leonz Eder said university sport feels at home in Torino, as the city and region have hosted many events for student-athletes in the past. “Thank you FISU for the ongoing trust and collaboration” answered Torino 2025 FISU World University Games Organising Committee President, Alessandro Ciro Sciretti.

Some of the 269 accredited journalists and photographers – out of which 68 from abroad – had gathered in the beautiful “Giuseppe Verdi” Conservatory for the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games‘ Opening Press Conference.

The occasion for official representatives from the Piemonte region, the city of Torino, the International University Sports Federation, the Torino 2025 Organising Committee as well as FederCusi and CUS Torino to address the crowd, listen to impressive musical performances by young musicians and the testimonies from three student-athletes about to perform on the Piemonte snow and ice.

“True champions are known for their honesty, balance, and teamwork, even when things are hard”, said Marina Chiarelli, Regional Counsellor for Sport and Culture. “This event is a challenge for everyone, not just athletes. It is also a challenge for the organisers and the cities. Success is not just about winning, but about creating a memory for everyone. Piemonte welcomes you with excitement. Enjoy every moment with hard work and courage. We hope these Games are unforgettable for each one of you.”

“For the City of Torino, hosting the XXXII World University Games Winter, is a source of immense pride, an event and a unique opportunity to further strengthen its role as a leading player in the international sports and cultural scene”, said the Mayor of Torino, Stefano Lo Russo.

“FISU feels at home in Torino”, smiled FISU President Leonz Eder. “And we are about to kick off an amazing party in the valley and in the mountains Piemonte. We have a total of 2564 participants invited to this party who come from 54 countries to enjoy the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games. These 1655 student-athletes are here to perform, but also to share an unique experience of culture, education, fair-play and sport.”

“Tomorrow evening, at a completely sold out Inalpi Arena, we will celebrate this heritage with a ceremony that will pay homage to art, music, sport, friendship and loyalty, the founding values of the Universiade”, announced the Organising Committee President, Alessandro Ciro Sciretti. “I am sure that this event will have a very strong impact on the Piemontese university and tourism system, whose future developments will unfold in the years to come.”

“As you might know, these are my very first FISU World University Games as the FISU Secretary General and CEO, but not my first participation to FISU Games…In 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1991 I was lucky enough to participate to four Universiade, now FISU World University Games as a student-athlete, confided Matthias Remund. I am really impatient for these Games to begin, and to see you student-athletes in action as all your teammates in 11 different sports with para-alpine-skiing and para-cross-country skiing on our programme for the very first time. I wish you as much fun as I had, and I wish us all a great success for the next 11 days!”

“We are happy to be here in Turino, a historic city for the entire international university sports movement, the birthplace of the Universiade, said FederCusi Representative, Lorenzo Lentini. Our delegation is ready and we are confident they will achieve results worthy of the 12th edition of the Universiade taking place in Italy (7 Winter editions and 5 Summer editions)!”

President of CUS Torino, Riccardo D’Elicio: “I want to thank FederCusi, FISU, the Region Piemonte and the City of Turino, as well as all the Piemonte Universities, for giving me the opportunity to bring the Universiade home. At CUS Torino, we have the responsibility to make the university life experience in Torino really valuable and unforgettable… Let’s enjoy the Games.”

The microphone to the student-athletes

After the official speeches, the microphone was given to the real stars of the event: three young student-athletes who left their training in Bardonecchia, Pragelato and Palatazzoli to share their excitement to take part in these Torino 2025 FISU Games.

“It is amazing to be able to welcome the world’s best student-skiers on the slopes where I live and ski”, said the Maths for Engineering student of the Politecnico of Turin, Margherita Cecere, who is an Italian alpine skier from Bardonecchia. “This doesn’t add pressure, but a lot of excitement. I simply can’t wait.”

The 18-year-old Teagan Thurston, a member of the USA women’s curling team,18 years-old, is experiencing her first big event. “I am so thankful to FISU and Torino for organising these World University Games. It feels really special to be there. You cannot imagine how happy I was when my first curling stone left my hand here on the ice.”

And Charles Lecours, a para-cross-country skier from Canada concluded their part with emotion. “As a para-athlete it is fantastic to be able to compete alongside my teammates during the same event. And I am particularly proud to be the first Canadian para-cross-country-skier to do this. We work as hard as any other athletes and deserve more visibility.”

The Torino 2025 FISU World University Games will take place from 13-23 January. Watch all the competitions live on fisu.tv. Click on the link to find the full schedule.

Written by Thérèse Courvoisier, pictures courtesy of the Organising Committee