FISU flame and torch returns from Torino, Italy

ALBANY | On Sept. 22, Gov. Kathy Hochul helped welcome the arrival of the first-ever sustainable FISU Flame and torch ahead of the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games. The new, innovative design was unveiled at an event at Pier 45 in New York City. The symbolic flame was transported to New York City by a delegation that included representatives from New York State, the Adirondack Sports Council, and the Village of Lake Placid, following a ceremonial lighting in Torino, Italy. "With the arrival of the FISU torch, we are now just months away from internationally showcasing New York once again - this time as host of the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games," Gov. Hochul said. "Next year's Games will be full of excitement and innovation, thanks to investments in our cutting-edge Olympic Regional Development Authority facilities and regional infrastructure, a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, and unique medals developed in part by New York-based Alfred University students. I look forward to opening up our great state to domestic and international athletes and audiences from New York and beyond, and welcome everyone to experience a New York State winter for themselves." For the first time, the FISU Flame is being carried in a sustainable torch, with no actual combustion or flame present. Instead, LED lights produce a brightly illuminated FISU Flame in a carbon-free presentation. The shift to a carbon-free flame is part of the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games' focus on sustainability and limiting climate impacts. The 22-inch-long torch was created and built by Adirondack Studios in Argyle, Washington County, the same business that built the award podiums for the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. The custom-made torch consists of elongated steel, encasing a glacial-blue body topped by recycled crystalline glass, representing an artistic interpretation of ice and water. The FISU World University Games are the largest multisport winter event in the world for collegiate athletes between the ages of 17 and 25. The Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games, starting January 12-22, 2023, are expected to draw as many as 1,600 athletes from 50 nations and 600 universities to compete in 12 sports and 86 events, with an equal number of women's and men's medals awarded. The Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games will also attract thousands of winter sports enthusiasts and fans to Lake Placid and surrounding North Country communities, including Canton, North Creek, Potsdam, Saranac Lake and Wilmington, as the world's best collegiate athletes vie for medals in Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, freestyle & freeski, men's and women's ice hockey, Nordic combined, short track speed skating, ski jumping, snowboarding and speed skating (long track). Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games will be the latest in New York's rich tradition of world-class sports competition. Events like this drive international visitors to explore host communities, supporting small businesses and vital tourism and hospitality jobs. We are excited to welcome the Games, its athletes and fans, back to the North Country this January." Olympic Regional Development Authority President & CEO Michael Pratt said, "We look forward to hosting the FISU Games for the second time in our modernized facilities once used for the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games. With each modernization project, the priority has been on sustainability and mitigating climate impacts to winter activities. Together, with the initiatives to be implemented for the Games, we look forward to helping educate and be a resource for other host cities." Lake Placid Village Mayor Art Devlin said, "We are thrilled to be bringing the World University Games flame back from its birthplace in Torino to New York State, setting the stage for the countdown to our Games. Lake Placid and Torino share a unique bond in that we both have hosted Olympic Games and FISU World University Games. We look forward to returning their hospitality in January." Adirondack Sports Council Executive Director Ashley Walden said, "It was wonderful to come together with the FISU, the University of Torino, as well as the future host city of the FISU Winter Games, to ignite the FISU flame and begin its journey to New York State."

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FISU flame and torch returns from Torino, Italy

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