Torch relay in Erfurt: athletes and politicians united for the FISU Games!

Torch relay in Erfurt: athletes and politicians united for the FISU Games!

The torch relay took place in Erfurt on April 17, 2025 in preparation for the FISU World University Games, which will be held in the Rhine-Ruhr region from July 16 to 27, 2025. Jens Panse, President of the Erfurt University Sports Club, led the approximately six kilometer long run, during which the torch was passed every 300 meters. This tradition takes center stage to properly celebrate the upcoming competitions, which will attract more than 10,000 athletes from over 150 countries in 18 sports. The FISU event marks the second event in Germany after the first in Duisburg in 1989.

Several participants from the university and the city took part in the torch relay, which began at 4 p.m. in front of the library on the University of Erfurt campus. Represented, among others, by Hubert Hager, a wheelchair basketball player from the Thuringia Bulls, who hopes to take part in the FISU World University Games. Mayor Andreas Horn and Prof. Dr. Robert Patejdl, Vice Rector for Studies and Teaching, was also present. The torchbearers Mia Stauß and Konstantin Krauße carried for the International Vocational Academy (iba) and Roman Freitag, German university champion in cross-country running, ran for the Erfurt University of Applied Sciences.

Details about the torch relay

At 4:30 p.m. the participating honorary citizens joined the torch relay team, with a photo opportunity for the press planned. The run led, among others, to the Health Medical University (HMU), the iba and the Erfurt University of Applied Sciences. The event concluded with a runner's party at the university of applied sciences at around 6 p.m., where all participants came together.

The FISU World University Games themselves will be held in five cities in the Rhine-Ruhr region: Bochum, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Essen and Mülheim an der Ruhr. This region has the densest university landscape in Europe and the most sports clubs in Germany, which creates the optimal setting for the event. CEO of the organizing committee, Niklas Börger, emphasizes that the games also pursue one goal: to present the Rhine-Ruhr region as a cosmopolitan region.

Sustainability and participation

The organizers attach great importance to social, ecological and economic sustainability as well as innovation and participation. The cultural performance during the games is under the motto “PASSIONATELY CONNECTED BY FIRE AND WATER”. The focus here should not only be on sporting achievements, but also on promoting understanding, tolerance and friendship between participants from different cultures.

The torch relay in Erfurt sent a strong signal that underlines the anticipation of the upcoming sporting highlights in the Rhine-Ruhr region. The FISU World University Games promise an event of international caliber as preparations continue in Erfurt. University of Erfurt reports that... More than just a sporting event is coming to the region, with a vision that goes far beyond the boundaries of sport.

Detailed information about the FISU World University Games is also available ADH and the intercultural dimension of the games shows a multi-faceted preparation for this great sporting spectacle that will unite diversity.