FISU World University Games Kick Off with Spectacular Ceremony in Duisburg
The 2025 Rhine-Ruhr World University Games officially opened on Wednesday night at the Schauinsland Reisen Arena in Duisburg, Germany. The same stadium hosted the opening ceremony of the 1989 Universiade, bringing back nostalgic memories for many.
German Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Barbel Bas, declared the 32nd FISU Summer Universiade open. The event is co-hosted by six cities in the Rhine-Ruhr region, including Berlin, Essen, Duisburg, Bochum, Mülheim an der Ruhr, and Hagen.
The opening ceremony, which began at 8:15 PM and concluded at 11:00 PM local time, was a blend of tradition and modernity. The overture, titled “Now and Together,” was composed by Jan Loechel specifically for the 2025 Games and performed by the WDR Funkhaus Orchestra.
FISU President Leonz Eder addressed the athletes, saying, “I wish you great success in the competitions, which will be unforgettable experiences and cherished memories in your life.”
The ceremony highlighted the unique character of the competition by combining classical music, modern band performances, and impressive visuals. Six massive chimney-shaped LED towers surrounded the stage, symbolizing the region’s rich industrial history and serving as cornerstones of the arena.
A heartfelt moment unfolded as approximately 500 people, including retired miners and members of local school choirs, joined together to sing the “Steigerlied,” a folk song cherished by German miners. This gesture beautifully connected the region’s past with its future aspirations.
The crowd’s enthusiasm was palpable, with spectators engaging in rhythmic hand-clapping throughout the parade of athletes. Volunteers led the teams into the stadium, holding banners that read “No Games without U,” emphasizing the inclusive spirit of the event.
North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister-President Hendrik Wust welcomed participants by stating, “The University Games are a celebration of respect, tolerance, and friendship. I hope this spirit spreads around the world driven by your experiences. Each and every one of you is invited to be an ambassador of friendship and peace.”
The ceremony also paid homage to the previous host city by showcasing a brief video recapping the flag-handover performance from Chengdu in 2023.
The climax of the evening arrived when Heide Ecker-Rosendahl, the women’s long jump gold medalist from the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, brought the flame into the stadium. She passed it to six other athletes who approached the LED towers. As the anthem “Now and Together” played, virtual flames ascended the towers, culminating in real flames igniting atop each one, symbolizing the six co-host cities. The flames were later transferred into six mining lamps, preserving the spirit of the Games.
The Rhine-Ruhr Games are set to feature over 9,200 participants from more than 150 countries and regions, competing from July 16 to 27. Host nation Germany is represented by its largest delegation ever, comprising 305 athletes and 177 team officials.
