Torino 2025 FISU World University Games Opening Press Conference concludes at Music Conservatory
Today, in the wonderful hall of the Music Conservatory of Turin, the Opening Press Conference of the XXXII FISU Games has taken place, officially starting the Games of Torino 2025.
Francesco Pennarola, Director of Conservatory of Music “Giuseppe Verdi” welcomed the public with these words: “It will be music to kick off today’s press conference: the magical music of the marimba, featuring a composition by Csaba Zoltan Marjan and the talent of young musician Cesare Fornasiero The “Giuseppe Verdi” Conservatory of Turin ideally welcomes student-athletes from around the world with the talent of its university musicians, and it does so by kicking off a concert series “Sports et Divertissements” that will punctuate the evenings of those in Turin in the coming weeks. It will then be the voice of the violin that will close the morning, with the talent of the very young Letizia Gullino engaged in pages of Bach and Igudesman: a special voice, because for the occasion the Conservatory is making available the Stradivarius of the Gallery of Ancient Instruments located on the first floor of the Institute”.
After brief greetings fromthe Mayor of Turin Stefano Lo Russo, and Marina Chiarelli, Regional Counselor for Sport and Culture,the press conference began with the speech of Leonz Eder – FISU’s President: “FISU feels at home in Torino. FISU founded in this beautiful city in 1949. Torino hosted the first ever Summer Universiade ten years later in 1959. Primo Nebiolo, FISU President from 1961 to 1999, also contributed to strongly linking Torino and FISU together. Having held the Winter Olympics in 2006, Torino also hosted the Winter Universiade in 2007. Sestriere, host of the 1966 Winter Universiade and an important cluster for the upcoming Torino 2025 FISU World University Games Winter. And now we are about to kick off an amazing party in the valley and in the mountains of our Piemontese home. We have a total of 2564 participants invited to this party and they are coming from 54 countries to enjoy the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games. Out of which 1655 student-athletes. Here to perform, but also to share an unique experience of culture, education, fair-play and sport. And every great party needs a great organiser. I would like to thank the Organising committee and FederCusi for their commitment and ongoing efforts to get everything ready to welcome the university sports world. Grazie a tutti, grazie Alessandro!”
After his speech, Eder introduced Alessandro Ciro Sciretti – President of Organising Committee Torino 2025: “This is perhaps the most important event in the world that is taking place these days. The splendid setting of the Conservatory that hosts us pays homage to the immense heritage of Italian culture, and of our Region in particular. 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. I am sure that this event will have a very strong impact on the Piedmontese university and tourism system, whose future developments will unfold in the years to come. To conclude, I will not tire of repeating that what we have achieved is the result of teamwork, and that everyone, including volunteers, are essential elements of an event that is making the Italian System shine bright under the spotlights of the world.”
Then it was the turn of Mathias Remund – FISU’s Secretary General and CEO, whoremembered his experience in FISU. “Dear Friends, carissimi amici, 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 in four Universiade, now FISU World University Games as a student-athlete. My studies were law at the University of Berne and my sport was, and still is cross-country skiing. I still have incredible memories from those times. I believe taking part in such special events has forged who I am today. Sport has driven all my life in private and profession and with six children, I believe in the power of transmission to the younger generations. Since arriving in Piemonte, I have been really busy, but still managed to take some time to try the cross-country course in Pragelato and it is great. I am really impatient for these Torino 2025 FISU World University 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 great success for the next 11 days!”
The last speech was taken by Lorenzo Lentini, representative of FederCusi: “We are happy to be here in Turin, a historic city for the entire international university sports movement, the birthplace of the Universiade. Our delegation is ready and competitive in all disciplines, 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). Italian University Sports and FederCUSI, in its new role as the Federation of University Sports, have been at the heart of world university sports for over 75 years, and we are proud to have contributed to the significant achievement of including parasports in the Winter Universiade program”.
The conference was closed by the President of CUS Torino, Riccardo D’Elicio: “Ciao everybody, in a few hours from the start of the races in the behalf of CUS Torino I want to thank FederCusi, the Federation FISU, the Region Piedmont and the City of Turin, as well as all the Piedmont Universities, for giving me the opportunity to bring home the UNIVERSIADE. This event was born in Turin due to the genial intuition and the political importance of PRIMO NEBBIOLO, and now Turin occupies an important role inside the international University System thanks to our excellent Universities UNITO and POLITO, which attracts every day more and more students from over the world. But Universities can be really completed and satisfying only with an excellent sport and training offer, to provide students a real good level of life. This is the reason CUS Torino works so hard, we have the responsibility to make the University Life Experience in Turin really valuable and unforgettable…and hosting the FISU Games will confirm to the world of International University Sports our competence. Let’s enjoy the Games.”
At the end of the conference, the young athletes Margherita Cecere, an Italian alpine skier from Bardonecchia, Teagan Thurston from the USA women’s curling team and Charles Lecours, a para-cross-country skier from Canada, talked about their experiences as student-athletes. “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. “This doesn’t add pressure, but a lot of excitement. I simply can’t wait.” Teagan, at 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 to conclude. “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.”
Curiosity: The Gaudeamus Igitur is the anthem of University Students. The Conservatory, as part of its project with which it won the Call of the Ministry of University and Research (a project also created to expand the message of the Universiade) has decided to pay homage to tradition, renewing this ancient anthem in a jazz key. The arrangement was made by prof. Luca Poletti of the Turin Conservatory and realized with the collaboration of the students of the jazz department of Turin and thanks to RAI which, pleased to participate in the operation, made available the studio and its technicians to create the Turin version of the Anthem.
LOCAL INSTITUTIONS SPEECHES
CITY OF TURIN – Stefano Lo Russo, Mayor of Torino: “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. Welcoming the athletes of the Universiade means sharing with them the charm of a city that harmoniously combines past and future, historically open to the world, ready to amaze, and leave an indelible memory in the hearts of all its visitors”.
REGION PIEDMON – Marina Chiarelli, Regional Counsellor for Sport and Culture
“Hello everyone, I bring greetings from the Piemonte Region. We are happy to host the Winter Universiade. This event shows how sports help people grow. Believing in young people is important for now, not just for the future. Today, we build tomorrow. Events like this help send a strong message. Young people bring new ideas and make things better. Sports and studying are not separate. They are both part of life. Discipline, hard work, and respect help us in sports and in life. “Mens sana in corpore sano” reminds us to take care of both mind and body. True champions are known for their honesty, balance, and teamwork, even when things are hard. This event is a challenge for everyone, not just athletes. It is also a challenge for the organizers 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. Every competition is not just a race, but a chance to grow. Good luck to everyone. We hope these Games are unforgettable for each of you.”
