The torch of the Lake Placid 2023 Winter World University Games arrived in New York over the weekend after being lit during a special ceremony in Turin, Italy. In a sight not that dissimilar from Lady Liberty herself, Adirondack Mac, mascot of Lake Placid 2023, held the newly lit torch above Pier 45 in New York City.
Local officials gathered at the seaside location to welcome the symbolic beacon of the World University Games. Among those in attendance was Ashley Walden, executive director of the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games’ Organizing Committee.
Walden, who had traveled to Turin to see the torch lit, spoke on the special bond shared by the two cities, stating, “the city of Turin and Lake Placid may not be similar in size or industry yet they share a special bond as they have each played host to Olympic Games and University Games.”
She added, “it was an honor to ignite the FISU Flame in this historic city and return it once again to Lake Placid.”
A few days prior, delegates from the International University Sports Federation (FISU), Lake Placid, US Consulate of Italy, and the University of Torino gathered in the Italian city to light the flame of the 31st Winter Universiade.
The ceremony featured a unique twist as the torch did not require an oil or gas fueled flame. Instead, local organizers opted to use LED technology in line with environmental and sustainability goals.
Speaking on the unique design of the torch, Walden said, “the torch is an example of our commitment to host the greenest and most sustainable Games in FISU history and work as one to save winter and the sports that we love.”
The torch is meant to invoke an image of fire of ice, with an elongated steel body and recycled crystalline glass interior. It also includes a direct link between the 1980 Winter Olympics and 2023 Winter World University Games.
Adirondack Studios, a local business responsible for the construction of award podiums for the 1980 Winter Olympics, served as constructor for the Lake Placid 2023 torch. Their design will now light up communities across the state ahead of the Games.
“The message of peace and friendship will be carried in the torch relay to 12 cities across New York State until the flame arrives in Lake Placid,” commented FISU Senior Executive Committee Member Verena Burk.
She continued, “what city could better represent this message and the related values than Lake Placid, a two-time host of the Winter Olympics and the organizer of the Winter Universiade in 1972.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight added, “the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games will be the latest in New York’s rich tradition of world-class sports competition.”
“This January, Lake Placid and the surrounding Adirondack communities will take center stage before a global audience, punctuated by a now-sustainable FISU Flame, and we’re excited to welcome the Games, its athletes and fans, back to the North Country,” concluded Knight.
The Lake Placid 2023 Winter World University Games are scheduled to begin on January 12, 2023. Competitions will be held across 12 sports and feature an expected 2,500 athletes before concluding on January 22, 2023.
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