World University Games 2007 opened in Turin
{{date|January 18, 2007}}

{{missing image|Image:Palasport-Olimpico-Turin.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The event was hosted in the [[w:Torino Palasport Olimpico|Torino Palasport Olimpico]], a modern [[w:arena|arena]] built for the [[w:2006 Winter Olympics|2006 Winter Olympic Games]].}}

The opening ceremony of 23th edition of Winter [[w:Universiade|Universiade]] took place yesterday night in [[w:Turin|Turin]]. The Universiade, also referred to as the World University Games, is an international event for university athletes organized by the [[w:International University Sports Federation|International University Sports Federation]].

Representatives of 52 countries took part to the event. The participants to this edition of Universiade are the highest number ever, both in terms of countries and athletes (that amount to 2,700). The Olympic Oath was taken by Francesco Ghedina, nephew of famous [[w:Downhill|downhill]] skier, [[w:Kristian Ghedina|Kristian Ghedina]] while [[w:Livio Berruti|Livio Berruti]], world medalist in [[w:200 metres|200 metres]] in [[w:1960 Summer Olympics|1960 Olympic Games]], was the last torch relay and ignited symbolically the [[w:Olympic Flame|Olympic Flame]]. The fire was just symbolic because obvious safety reasons prohibited a real fire inside an indoor [[w:arena|arena]].

The ceremony show featured the Football World Champion [[w:Gianluigi Buffon|Gianluigi Buffon]], [[w:goalkeeper|goalkeeper]] of [[w:Juventus FC|Juventus]], the long jumper [[w:Andrew Howe|Andrew Howe]] and the actor [[w:Arturo Brachetti|Arturo Brachetti]].

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.lastampa.it/Universiadi/cmsSezioni/universiadi/200701articoli/29girata.asp
|title=Universiadi: partiti!
|author=Marco Ansaldo
|pub=La Stampa (italian language)
|date=January 18th 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.680news.com/news/sports/article.jsp?content=s011759A
|title=2007 Winter University Games open in Turin; 52 countries represented
|author=Associated Press
|pub=680News
|date=January 17, 2007}}

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[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:Italy]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Gianluigi Buffon]]
The opening ceremony of 23th edition of Winter Universiade took place yesterday night in Turin. The Universiade, also referred to as the World University Games, is an international event for university athletes organized by the International University Sports Federation.

Representatives of 52 countries took part to the event. The participants to this edition of Universiade are the highest number ever, both in terms of countries and athletes (that amount to 2,700). The Olympic Oath was taken by Francesco Ghedina, nephew of famous downhill skier, Kristian Ghedina while Livio Berruti, world medalist in 200 metres in 1960 Olympic Games, was the last torch relay and ignited symbolically the Olympic Flame. The fire was just symbolic because obvious safety reasons prohibited a real fire inside an indoor arena.

The ceremony show featured the Football World Champion Gianluigi Buffon, goalkeeper of Juventus, the long jumper Andrew Howe and the actor Arturo Brachetti.
Sports Italy Europe Gianluigi Buffon