The CUS Cassino staff continues to work at full speed on the organization of the World University Cross Country Championships, which will take place in the city on March 13th, 14th and 15th. On Monday, at the Department of Humanities and Philosophy of the University of Cassino, the Info Point was officially inaugurated. It will serve as the operational headquarters for the entire organization of the event.
On this occasion, the mascot of the 24th edition of the World University Championship Cross Country was also unveiled. The Organizing Committee chose a lioness, named “La Leoncina di Cassino”, as a tribute to the tradition of the two stone lions that have always symbolized Cassinese authority. These lions were historically placed at the entrances of monasteries, abbey palaces and along property boundaries. Two small stone lions can still be admired on the architrave of the well in the Bramante Cloister at Montecassino, while two bas-relief lions guard the tomb of Saint Benedict in the crypt of the Basilica, also in Montecassino. Another pair of lions stands in front of the Palagio Badiale in Piazza Corte, in Cassino.
The Championship mascot embodies the ancient values of the Cassinese lions: strength, understood not as violence but as endurance; vigilance, intended as concentration and respect; and courage, seen as the ability to overcome one’s own limits. These are the same values that will accompany the young athletes competing on the Folcara course.
Among those attending the inauguration was Rector Marco Dell’Isola, who emphasized how the University of Cassino, already a multicultural institution, is ready to welcome students from more than 30 countries around the world. CUS President Carmine Calce confirmed the high number of registration requests currently being received, despite the less-than-favorable international political climate.
Cassino Mayor Enzo Salera also expressed his satisfaction, once again highlighting the importance of international events such as this one for the tourism and economic development of the area, and reaffirmed the city’s full support for these initiatives. He was accompanied by City Councillor Edilio Terranova, who also praised the excellent organization of CUS Cassino.
Such an important event could not be without its main supporter: Vincenzo Formisano, President of the Banca Popolare del Cassinate, who requested a copy of the mascot to display at the bank’s entrance. “Throughout the city,” he said, “you should be able to feel the atmosphere of a world championship.”
15 Jan
