The Universiade Torch shines brightly upon the world as the Gwangju Universiade Organizing Committee (GUOC) and International University Sports Federation (FISU) started the Universiade Torch Relay by lighting the torch on May 18 in Paris, France.
The torch lighting took place abroad at Paris-Sorbonne University and the flame will travel to Taipei City, Chinese Taipei on May 23. The torch relay will start at the Taipei 101, formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, to the Taipei City Hall. The torch will then be unified at Jangbuljae, Mudeungsan in Gwangju, Republic of Korea on June 2. The torch will travel across the nation until July 3 at the Universiade Opening Ceremony in the Universiade Main Stadium.
Paris-Sorbonne University, being the ‘Birthplace of University Sports,’ lighted the torch for 2013 Kazan Universiade as well.
The organizing committee plans to promote the host city and Korea by displaying performances that introduce Korean traditional culture while transferring the torch. A taekwondo demonstration by French locals along with a performance of a Korean traditional percussion band took place at the lighting ceremony in Paris-Sorbonne University.
The torch was lighted by Sorbonne IV University President Barthélémy Jobert and delivered to FISU President Claude-Louis GALLIEN, GUOC Vice-Chairman Kim Eung Sik, and FFSU President Jean-François SAUTEREAU. Afterwards, it traveled around the Louvre Museum, Triumphal Arch, and Eiffel Tower.
As the slogan of the Gwangju Universiade is ‘Light Up Tomorrow’, the torch will be carried out in the concept of ‘light’. Especially, the torch relay will embody the cultural characteristics of the nation’s eight provinces.
On May 21, the torch bearer ceremony was held at the Gwangju City Hall. Torch bearer ceremony was an opportunity for the torch bearers to rehearse the torch relay while showcasing various cultural events that will take place during the actual games. The torch from Taipei will arrive at Incheon International Airport on May 24.
Another torch lighting ceremony will take place on June 2 at Jagbuljae of Mudeung Mountain in Gwangju City. Seven high school students of Gwangju Arts High School will be dressed as Taoist fairies and deliver the torch to the mountain.
The national torch relay will be carried out from June 4 for 22 days, beginning at the GUOC headquarters and passing through 17 cities and 60 venues in the country (51 local governments, 9 universities). A total of 3,150 runners from across the nation will be participating.
The torch will travel 3,700㎞ around the nation, arrive at the Universiade Main Stadium on July 3 at the Opening Ceremony, and be carried by the last flame torcher bearer.
For more information, contact:
Jiyoung Lee, Foreign Press Officer
☏ +82 62 616 3663
e-mail: 2015press@gmail.com
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