Korea's Chungcheong region on July 27 officially received the official flag of the 2027 Summer Universiade from FISU, the global governing body for collegiate sports, at the closing ceremony of this year's Rhine-Ruhr Summer World University Games in Duisburg, Germany. Shown is Kang Chang-hee, chairman of the Chungcheong competition's organizing committee, waving the flag next to FISU President Leonz Eder. (FISU's official Instagram account)

By Jeon Misun 

The host of the 2027 Summer World University Games, namely the Chungcheong region spanning the cities of Daejeon and Sejong and the provinces of Chungcheongbuk-do and Chungcheongnam-do, has officially received the competition's flag as the first step toward a successful event.

The event's organizing committee on July 28 said it officially received the flag from FISU, the world governing body of collegiate sports, at the closing ceremony of this year's Rhine-Ruhr World University Games on July 27 at the public park Kraftzentrale in Duisburg, Germany.

Attending the event were Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo, Sejong Mayor Choi Min-ho, Chungcheongnam-do Gov. Kim Tae Heum, Chungcheongbuk-do Gov. Kim Young-hwan and committee chairman Kang Chang-hee to receive the flag on behalf of the Chungcheong region.

This was the flag's official handover after the area in November 2022 in Brussels was named to host the 2027 competition.

"Chungcheong is a central region where Korean tradition and innovation coexist," Chairman Kang said in a speech. "Through the solidarity and cooperation of the four cities and provinces, we will spread the values of sustainability and inclusiveness throughout the world."

To run from Aug. 1-12, 2027, the Chungcheong Universiade will be an international competition of collegiate athletics.

Some 15,000 athletes from 150 countries are expected to vie for medals in 18 sports including archery, fencing and gymnastics.

This will be Korea's fourth hosting of a Universiade after the 1997 winter games in Muju-gun County-Jeonju in Jeollabuk-do Province and summer editions in Daegu in 2003 and Gwangju in 2015.

In this year's Universiade, Korea finished fourth overall with 21 gold medals, nine silver and 27 bronze.