Torch relay for Gwangju games begins Thursday

The 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade fire torch relay in Korea will begin Thursday, with the organizers collecting a flame for the international college sporting competition at Mount Mudeung in Gwangju on Tuesday. The organizers said the flame was combined with one from Paris Sorbonne University in France, where the first world university games originated.

The committee said that the torch relay will start from Jeju on Thursday and visit 66 places nationwide, with 3,150 torch bearers for 22 days. The flame will illuminate Gwangju World Cup Stadium on July 3 for the Universiade’s opening ceremony.

The organizers said some 20,000 athletes, coaches and media from 170 countries will visit Gwangju for the event. College athletes will compete in 21 sport events that have 272 gold medals up for grabs.

Korea is sending 525 athletes and coaches to the event.