Changchun Prepares for 2027 Winter Universiade, Receives Flame from Turin

The Executive Committee of the Changchun 2027 Winter Universiade is moving forward with full force in preparing to host the Winter World University Games. Recently, an official torch-lighting and flame handover ceremony was held in Turin, Italy, to honourably bring the symbolic flame back to China. The grand handover ceremony was organised to reflect the beautiful cultural connection between the East and the West. This international event also serves as a countdown to the world-class winter sports competition that will be held in January 2027.

Historic Flame Handover Ceremony in Turin

Turin, Italy, holds great historical significance as it hosted the first Summer World University Games in 1959. It has also been honoured as the permanent repository for the Flame of Knowledge. For this prestigious ceremony, Gu Gang, Mayor of Changchun, and Leonz Eder, President of FISU, jointly lit the flame in the cauldron at the University of Turin amidst many distinguished guests. The atmosphere at the event was filled with warmth, featuring the playing of the national anthems of both countries, Chinese cultural performances, and the screening of a stunningly beautiful promotional video. After the ceremony concluded, the flame in the lantern was paraded past several important historical landmarks, including the Egyptian Museum, the Murazzi del Po area, and the Castello del Valentino, a historic building that houses the Polytechnic University of Turin.

Readiness to Welcome Athletes from Around the World

The symbolic flame for the World University Games will arrive in Changchun on 14 October 2026 to commence promotional activities and raise awareness nationwide. Changchun and the neighbouring city of Jilin will jointly serve as the main areas for hosting ice and snow sports, featuring a total of 97 medal events across 12 sports. On this occasion, the organising committee has introduced a novelty by adding a new sport, winter cross country running, as an official part of the competition programme. Currently, the Executive Committee is accelerating the preparation of competition venues, managing various systems, and continuously developing support services to accommodate the large number of athletes and delegates from around the world who will attend the event.

Expectations for the Success of the Competition

Leonz Eder, President of FISU, revealed the progress of working with China, stating that the preparations for this Winter World University Games are proceeding smoothly and with high efficiency. The federation is confident that China will certainly be able to host a grand international sports competition and impress all attendees. Furthermore, hope was expressed that the Changchun 2027 Winter Universiade will see a record-breaking number of athletes and delegates from countries around the world accepting the invitation to participate. The success of hosting this event will become another important historical chapter in the future of the World University Games.

News of the progress in organising this world-class event is of great interest to international organisers, as well as organisations and agencies involved in tourism promotion. Hosting a large-scale sports competition with a vast number of athletes and spectators will undoubtedly help attract massive amounts of money and people to the host areas. These factors will directly benefit local hotels, accommodation, restaurants, and local services, which will certainly become bustling and generate high levels of income.