Italy, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg,
Switzerland, Monaco and the Nether-
lands became the founding members
of FISU and entrusted the presidency to
Luxembourger Paul Schleimer.
It was here FISU announced its mission: “ To
promote the cultural aspect of the student
body from all countries, to exchange the
experiences of university sport, to organise
international university meetings and to
spread the moral values of sport.”
FISU accomplished one of its aims in
1957 when the French National Union of
Students organised the World University
Games in Paris, reuniting students from
across eastern and western Europe un-
der one roof of the athletes’ village.
Even with the vestiges of time, one can
hardly overstate the importance of the first
post-war edition of the World University
Games. While the event may have changed
two years later in Torino, Italy, from the
meet in Paris arose the desire for a universal
event where student-athletes from all
over the world could participate. This led
to Torino, Italy, hosting the 1959 event, and
since then, FISU has occupied a unique role
in enabling and developing international
university sport.The 1959 games were baptised the
Universiade, a term that endures today,
through 30 summer editions and 29
winter events.The distinctive ‘U’ logo surrounded by stars
was unveiled, and a FISU flag bearing this
logo began its journey around the world. The
Universiade in Torino was a success for the
local organising committee, as well as for
the man who was to change the future of
the university sports movement: Dr Primo
Nebiolo. For nearly forty years, the long
jumper from Torino led the international
university sports movement.Today, FISU plays homage to these sport-
ing roots by lighting the Universiade torch
before each edition, from the eternal FISU
Flame that burns bright inside the court-
yard of the Centro Universitario Sportivo di
Torino.