Bardonecchia, December 29, 2024 – The “Torch of Knowledge” of Torino 2025 will arrive in Bardonecchia, the last alpine stop before returning to the Piedmontese capital, where the World University Games will officially begin on January 13.
In Bardonecchia, where the snowboard, Alpine skiing, para Alpine skiing and freestyle competitions will take place, the Torch will be accompanied by 24 torchbearers. Kicking off the tour from Borgo Vecchio will be the mayor of Bardonecchia, Chiara Rossetti, who will receive the Flame of Knowledge with which the Torch will be lit by the President of the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games Organising Committee, Alessandro Ciro Sciretti, then passing it on to Teresio Vachet, the National Alpine Skiing Champion, who took part in the 1968 Grenoble Olympics. Among yesterday’s and today’s athletes, who will take turns in carrying the Torch, are Gino Senigagliesi, Monica Borsotti, Carolina Ruiz Castillo, Barbara Merlin, Alberto Planchon, Margherita Cecere and Sara Allemand, who finished third in the Super G in the European Cup a week ago.
The torch will also be carried by Colomion CEO Nicola Bosticco, the Rector of the Politecnico di Torino Stefano Corgnati, and the President of CUS Torino and Vice President of the Torino 2025 Organizing Committee Riccardo D’Elicio.
The torch is expected to arrive in front of the Palazzo delle Feste, where institutional greetings will take place.
Institutional Statements
Chiara Rossetti, Mayor of Bardonecchia:
“Bardonecchia, with its history and deep connection to winter sports, welcomes the Torch of Knowledge, a symbol of the profound bond between competitive spirit and learning. Seeing the torch here among our mountains reminds us of the power of sports to break barriers, unite diverse cultures, and inspire new generations. Today, Bardonecchia is not just a stop on this journey but a symbol of warmth and hospitality for the entire world.”
Alessandro Ciro Sciretti, President of the Torino 2025 Organizing Committee:
“With Bardonecchia, we have reached the final stop of the Torch of Knowledge before its return to Torino which will officially open the Games on January 13. This incredible journey of 20 stops (plus the one in Torino) has shone a spotlight on Piemonte and its university system on the world stage. The tour has fully achieved the goals of the 2030 Agenda set by the Committee, promoting health and well-being with a 3 km walk at each stop (considered the optimal daily distance for preventing cardiovascular diseases), enhancing quality education and gender equality by involving schools, universities, and citizens in all locations along the route, and fostering partnerships for achieving goals by engaging local communities and stakeholders to create a lasting legacy, building skills and new capacities. We are convinced that the passage of the Torch has been a source of inspiration for our students and citizens and for all those who believe in the power of sport as an engine for change and growth, becoming a valuable opportunity to rediscover and enhance the cultural and sporting heritage that has always distinguished Piemonte’.
Riccardo D’Elicio, President of CUS Torino and Vice President of the Torino 2025 Organizing Committee:
“Bardonecchia has always been deeply involved in the university world, in all the previous Universiades organised in Torino, and in this edition too it will play a fundamental role by hosting no fewer than four competitions. This allows us to continue to increase Bardonecchia’s popularity as a university town not only in Italy but internationally, where CUS Torino acts as a bridge to allow university students from Torino to come here in the winter – but especially in the summer – to try out all the activities that Bardonecchia organises, enjoying sports, cultural and food and wine experiences that enhance Torino’s value as a university town of excellence”.
Stefano Corgnati, Rector of the Politecnico di Torino:
‘The ‘Guarini’ torch of knowledge, created by a multidisciplinary team from the Politecnico based on a project by students from the University coordinated by professors from the Design courses, finally arrives in the territories that will be the protagonists of the next Universiade, bringing with it the values of respect, education, non-violence and sustainability that characterise the torch project and constitute the very message of the event. The upcoming Universiade Games are now getting into full swing and Torino, together with its valleys, will have the opportunity to make itself known to the world as a university city and to spread the values in which we all believe, starting with hospitality and the importance of sport at any level. Thanks also to this focus, I am sure that more and more boys and girls from many countries around the world will choose to come and study in Torino and Piemonte’.
