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Fédération Internationale de Sport Universitaire / International University Sports Fed

FISU / IUSF ; University Games; Universiade

Last modified: 2023-10-28 by zachary harden
Keywords: fédération internationale de sport universitaire | international university sports federation | university games | international sports organization | sport | fius | iusf | organization | universiade |
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[International University Sports Federation flag] 2:3 image by Zachary Harden, 28 October 2023


See also:

Other sites:


FISU emblem and flag


Evolution of the FISU emblem and flag

[International University Sports Federation flag] Until 2020; 2:3 image by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, August 2005

The home page of the Fédération Internationale de Sport Universitaire (FISU) (International University Sports Federation) contains information about the emblem and flag. According to the page the FISU emblem "consists of a black letter U printed on a white background, centered over 5 stars divided into 2 lines. The 3 upper stars are from left to right respectively: blue, black and red; and the 2 lower stars are yellow and green. The FISU logotype, in black, is centered beneath the stars."

The emblem was created by the Italian University Sports Center (CUSI) for the 1959 World University Games, although the stars were originally curved around the bottom of the U.

The FISU flag "will include the emblem of FISU centered on a flag made out of white material." FISU recommends the following dimensions:

  • For official use in sport halls or venues: 200cm wide x 150cm high.
  • For the official flag at the opening ceremony of the Universiade: 450cm wide x 300cm high or 600cm wide x 450cm high.
  • For oriflammes: 80cm wide x 120cm high.

Erik Bell, 30 October 2002


FISU is the International University Sports Federation.
The FISU flag includes the emblem of FISU centred on a flag made out of white material.

The official FISU emblem was inspired by the 'U' from University accompanied by five stars that symbolise the 5 continents.
The original emblem (1), created by the C.U.S.I. (Italian University Sports Center) during the Universiade'59, symbolised FISU for 30 years.

FISU has recently renewed the design of its emblem (2) in order to improve the consistency of the emblems at the FISU events.
The emblem consists of a black letter 'U' printed on a white background, centred over 5 stars divided into two lines. The 3 upper stars are from left to right respectively : blue, black and red; and the 2 lower stars are yellow and green. The 'FISU' logotype, in black, is centred beneath the stars.

Santiago Tazón, February 24, 2003.
According to FISU web site.


FISU emblem in five Process colours

The colours of the emblem are to be used based on the following process colours :

    1. BLUE 100% cyan
    2. BLACK 100% black
    3. RED 100% magenta + 100% yellow
    4. YELLOW 100% yellow + 10% magenta
    5. GREEN 100% yellow + 100% cyan

Santiago Tazón, February 24, 2003.
According to FISU web site.


FISU emblem in five Pantone Colours

The following Pantone colours, based on the European scale (PANTONE Colour Formula Guide - 747 XR), are recommended:

    1. BLUE Process Blue.
    2. BLACK Process Black.
    3. RED Warm Red.
    4. YELLOW 109 (16 parts Yellow + 1/4 part Warm Red).
    5. GREEN 355 (13 parts Green + 3 parts Yellow + 1/4 Black).

Santiago Tazón, February 24, 2003.
According to FISU web site.

The logo was changed in 2020, and thus, the flag was changed to reflect the new logo.
Paul Bassinson and Zachary Harden, 10 September 2023


Use of the FISU flag

The FISU flag is used at award ceremonies for the World University Games (Universiade) instead of national flags.  The FISU anthem "Gaudeamus Igitur" is played.   A history of the anthem and the lyrics (in Latin) can be found on the FISU website.
Erik Bell, February 4, 2003.


FISU flag: 1959 version

[International University Sports Federation flag: 1959 vesrion] 2:3 image by Erik Bell, March 27, 2003.

I have adapted black and white graphics from FISU's webpages to show the original 1959 FISU flag. Current version 2:3
Erik Bell, 30 October 2002

I'm afraid I gave you a graphic of the original FISU Flag that is wrong. The colors are in the wrong places. My fault. Attached is a revised graphic showing the colors in the right place.
Erik Bell, March 27, 2003.


21st. Universiade: Beijing 2001

[Flag of the 21st Universiade: Beijing 2001]
Original location: ChinaDaily: Official web site of the 21st. Universiade: Beijing 2001
Located by Dov Gutterman, January 1, 2003.


2003 Winter Universiade in Tarivisio

[Flag use in Tarivisio handover] image by Erik Bell, March 27, 2003.

Also attached is a graphic of the flag used at the handover during the Closing Ceremony of the 2003 Winter Universiade in Tarivisio (ITA). This flag is identical to the original flag except the letters FISU were omitted from the bottom. You can see a high resolution photo of this flag at the FISU official web site.

[Flag use in Tarivisio handover]
Original location: FISU official web site.
Located by Erik Bell, March 27, 2003.


2011 Summer Universiade - Shenzhen

[2011 Summer Universiade - Shenzen] image by Zoltan Horvath, 08 January 2017

I spotted the flag for the 2011 Summer Universiade, or University games, endorsed by FISU.
The "Shenzhen 2011 Summer Universiade" was held between August 12 and August 23 of 2011 in Shenzhen, China.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Summer_Universiade
There seem to be two flags:
- Bid flag: Chinese script on a white horizontal flag, with FISU logo on the canton plus another unidentified logo, as seen here.
Source: http://www.sz2011.org/Universiade/aips_e/
- Games flag: featuring the games' logo with Chinese inscription on a white horizontal flag, as seen here.
Source: http://www.shenzhenparty.com/blogs/kelley-chan/108559-universiade-flag-fly-qomolangma
For additional information go to Shenzen2011 (official website, dead link, accessible through here) http://www.sz2011.org/
Esteban Rivera, 26 January 2016


2013 Summer Universiade - Kazan

[2013 Summer Universiade - Kazan] image by Zoltan Horvath, 08 January 2016

I came across the flag of the 2013 Summer Universiade, or University games, endorsed by FISU.
The "Kazan 2013 Official Website Universiade" were held between July 6 and July 17, 2013 in Kazan, Russia.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Summer_Universiade
The flag is the logo over a white horizontal flag, as seen here.
Source: http://en.olympic.cn/news/olympic_news/2011-09-14/2160359.html  )
Every Universiade logo must contain the Latin letter "U", designating a sporting event held under the auspices of the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The logo of the 2013 Summer Universiade represents a vertical rectangular design that comprises the words "Universiade", "Kazan", "Russia", "2013" and the five stars of the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The emblem of the 2013 Summer Universiade takes its origin from an image of a tulip, a common element of Tatar ornaments that symbolizes revival.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Summer_Universiade#Marketing
The Universiade (as the FISU games are colloquially known) are divided into two categories: Summer and Winter, with the respective sports and participating delegations and, contrary to the Olympic games, they are both held the very same year. The name is a combination of the words "University" and "Olympiad". The Universiade is often referred to in English as the World University Games or World Student Games; however, this latter term can also refer to competitions for sub-University grades students, as well. The Universiade is the 2nd largest multi-sporting event in the world, second only to the Olympic Games.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universiade
For additional information go to Kazan2013 (official website)
Esteban Rivera, 26 January 2016


2015 Summer Universiade - Gwangju

[2015 Summer Universiade - Gwangju] image by Zoltan Horvath, 08 January 2017

The 2015 Summer Universiade was July 3 and July 14, 2015 in Gwangju, South Korea.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Summer_Universiade
The flag is the logo over a white horizontal flag, as seen here:
Source: http://www.fisu.net/en/Young-Reporters-Programme-at-the-Gwangju-2015-Summer-Universiade-3133.html?mbID=5743
For additional information go to Gwangju2015 (official website)
Esteban Rivera, 26 January 2016


2017 Winter Universiade - Almaty

[2017 Winter Universiade - Almaty]
Games flag
image by Zoltan Horvath, 08 January 2017

[2017 Winter Universiade - Almaty]
Bid flag
image by Zoltan Horvath, 08 January 2017

I saw the flag of the 2017 Winter Universiade, or University games, endorsed by FISU.
The "Almaty 2017 Winter Universiade" will be held between January 28 and February 28 of 2017 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Winter_Universiade
The flag is the logo over a white horizontal flag, as seen here:
Source: http://www.fisu.net/en/2017-WU-Bidding-Update-Students-marched-with-FISU-and-Almaty-2017-flags-3133.html?mbID=4069
For additional information go to Almaty2017 (official website )
Esteban Rivera, 26 January 2016

It is the Bid flag, the final version of the Games is a little bit changed. It's also a white flag with its logo, but apple like emblem has been replaced with a as it is seen here.
Source: http://www.inform.kz/en/over-100-billion-tenge-invested-in-almaty-as-part-of-universiade-preparation_a2985752
"The logo of the Winter Universiade 2017 was created considering the following images:
Letter "U" - is an essential attribute of all Universiade logos
Wings - symbolizes the aspiration to win
The logo was created in bright and soft colors that emphasize the modernity and the eco-friendly approach, which is one of the most important elements of the general concept of the Games."
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Winter_Universiade
Zoltan Horvath, 08 January 2017