FISU Games Flame on the road to Rhine-Ruhr 2025

North-Rhine Westphalia Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst achieved the seemingly impossible task of lighting up a 3,500-square-metre airship hangar in Mülheim an der Ruhr on Monday 7 April.

Appearing to an expectant audience drawn from all corners of the globe – the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games Heads of Delegations – the highest-ranking official in NRW proudly held aloft the brightest torch of all: the FISU Games Flame for Rhine-Ruhr 2025.

“The torch is here! It shines and spreads bright anticipation for a great sports festival this summer here in North Rhine-Westphalia,” Hendrik Wüst announced. “We are welcoming the teams and delegations from all continents with open arms. We are delighted to have the world as our guests.”

Following Wüst’s speech, it was time for the FISU Games Flame to take flight, with the passing of the Torch from Wüst to its next bearer, the local hip-hop sensation, Stella Ritter.

The Flame Relay is a key event leading up to the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. A symbol of unity and connection in the world of sport, it illustrates how the same passion and determination which drives student-athletes in study and competition has the power to break down barriers and build bridges between cultures. This unifying event creates an unforgettable experience for the academic community and the sporting world.

The journey of the torch traditionally begins in Torino, the host city of the first World University Games in 1959. Since then, the flame ignited there has symbolised the pursuit of knowledge. In January 2025, the Torch for the FISU Games Summer was lit during a FISU Games Winter for the first time, creating a unique connection between the Summer and Winter Games like never before.

lighting the torch in torino

Previous Next

The Torch was lit by cross-country skier and gold medallist Marius Bauer during the German reception at the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games. He used a symbolic miners’ lamp to transfer the FISU Games Flame before passing the lit Torch on to the official guests, who included FISU President Leonz Eder, Juliane Seifert, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community, and Andrea Milz, State Secretary for Sports and Volunteering of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The Torch was then held aloft by Lilly Sellak, an ambassador of the ‘Team Rhine-Ruhr 2025’ who was part of the German national wheelchair basketball team which finished sixth at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

When design tells a story

A German-wide design competition was organised at universities. In the project put forward by the designer team of Fabian and Victor, just like the Rhine-Ruhr region, the Torch fuses fire with water, connecting the energy of an industrial past with the promise and renewal of the future.

The Torch of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games combines tradition with transformation. It symbolises the history and evolution of the Rhine-Ruhr region, reflecting its unique connection between the past and the future. As a powerful emblem, the Torch embodies the region’s cultural heritage while shining a light on its innovative aspirations. The design incorporates characteristic elements of the region, telling the story of its journey from its mining, manufacturing and engineering roots, to a post-industrial, vibrant cultural landscape. 

Every detail counts

Six Contours – Six bold contours, inspired by mining shafts, honour the region’s roots, resilience and strong character. They also symbolise the six Host Cities of the FISU Games.

Curved Lines – Curves lines echo the gentle silhouettes of spoil tips and water lines, reflecting the region’s transformation from industry to culture.

Crown – The crown of the torch, symbolising excellence in sport and science, features 18 prongs representing the featured sports.

Rhine-Ruhr 2025 Logo – The logo of Rhine-Ruhr 2025 in shining gold evokes the glow of miners’ lamps.

FISU Logo – Like the event’s logo, it shines and leads the way.

The Torch will now begin its tour of the six Host Cities – Bochum, Duisburg, Essen, Mülheim, Hagen and Berlin – under the motto ‘Everybody is all-in’.