Xinhua
Chengdu Gaoxin District Sports activities Middle, one of many venues the place video games of the thirty first Worldwide College Sports activities Federation (FISU) Summer season World College Video games will likely be held, is seen in 2021.
Chengdu, often known as the hometown of big pandas, is about to impress the world as soon as once more. This time, the highlight is not solely on the lovable animals, but in addition on a rare world-class sporting occasion.
The thirty first Worldwide College Sports activities Federation (FISU) Summer season World College Video games, which was postponed twice on account of COVID-19 considerations, is scheduled to happen from July 28 to August 8 within the capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province.
With 100 days remaining till the opening ceremony, Chengdu is making ready to showcase a global sports activities occasion infused with distinctive Chinese language traits.
“Chengdu is actually prepared, and the organizing committee has performed every part potential to welcome athletes from all over the world,” stated FISU performing president Leonz Eder in the course of the Heads of Delegation (HoD) Assembly held final month within the metropolis.
All set for the video games
Chengdu will change into the third metropolis on the Chinese language mainland to host the biennial Summer season Universiade, following Beijing in 2001 and Shenzhen in 2011.
Town has constructed 13 new venues and amenities whereas renovating 36 current ones for the College Video games. All sports activities amenities, together with the Dong’an Lake Sports activities Park the place the opening ceremony will happen, had been put into use by April 2021.
The Chengdu Universiade Village, situated on the campus of Chengdu College, can accommodate roughly 11,000 folks. Geared up with state-of-the-art amenities, it gives top-notch companies in catering, health, commerce, leisure, and cultural exchanges.
FISU Secretary Normal and CEO Eric Saintrond described the Video games Village as “top-of-the-line we have ever had.”
From broadcasting to safety and from transportation to medical companies, a variety of recent applied sciences like 5G, cloud computing, and synthetic intelligence have been employed to create a sensible Universiade.
A group of charming robots named Rongbao, after the Video games’ mascot, will present varied companies, together with navigation, translation, and enquiries.
Over 1,700 new power buses, adorned with eye-catching photographs of Rongbao, will function public transportation in the course of the Video games. The buses include a Chinese language and English broadcast system, making it extra handy for worldwide guests.
“Chengdu is greater than able to host a unbelievable FISU Video games this summer season,” stated Hannah Schafer, occasion coordinator of the German College Sports activities Federation (ADH), after the HoD Assembly.
Rising enthusiasm
To forestall college college students from dropping their {qualifications} because of the occasion’s postponement, the FISU has adjusted the registration rules. School athletes who met the {qualifications} in 2021 can even take part within the Chengdu Universiade this 12 months.
Embracing the FISU’s motto of “Excellence in Thoughts and Physique,” the Summer season College Video games integrates academic and cultural features, encouraging student-athletes worldwide to mix top-notch sports activities efficiency with mental pursuits.
Through the Video games, the organizers plan to rearrange a collection of sporting and cultural actions, akin to observing big pandas and having fun with Sichuan Opera, to spotlight the host metropolis’s distinctive options.
Scholar-athletes across the globe are keen to participate within the Video games.
UniSport Australia introduced that it’s going to ship a group of as much as 150 athletes to Chengdu. “The World College Video games provide a unbelievable alternative for student-athletes to compete on the elite degree in a multi-sport occasion,” stated Carrie Graf, former Olympic championship-winning coach who will lead the Australian group.
David Knopp, vice head of the US delegation, additionally expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming occasion. “We hope to carry two of our greatest basketball groups from the college degree in america. They’re excited to compete right here,” Knopp stated.
Chinese language swimming star Zhang Yufei revealed her need to discover town’s surroundings and delicacies. “I really like spicy meals, so I am keen to go to Chengdu for the Sichuan delicacies, and the pandas are a must-see for certain.”
“I might additionally wish to change concepts on sports activities with native youths, because the Chengdu 2021 FISU Video games serves as a helpful platform for communication,” she added.
The folks of Chengdu are additionally welcoming the occasion with nice hospitality. “Younger folks like me are trying ahead to the Summer season Universiade,” stated Zhao Yuxi, a pupil volunteer from Sichuan College.
Zheng Bei, vp of the Video games’ organizing committee, informed a press convention on Wednesday that round 20,000 volunteers have been recruited for the Video games, and over 1.3 million have signed as much as be volunteers within the metropolis.
There will likely be 1,000 volunteer service spots across the venues, park greenways, transportation hubs, and industrial areas to supply complete companies in the course of the Video games, stated the organizers.
“The occasion will undoubtedly be an essential a part of my college years, and I’ll do my greatest to contribute to a splendid Video games via my volunteer work,” Zhao stated.
Cradle fo future stars
The FISU World College Video games is held each two years in numerous cities. This celebration of worldwide college sports activities and tradition brings collectively hundreds of student-athletes to compete, making it one of many world’s largest multi-sport occasions.
The Chengdu 2021 Universiade will function 269 occasions throughout 18 sports activities. Along with 15 necessary sports activities, the Video games additionally consists of three optionally available sports activities — rowing, capturing, and Wushu.
From legendary sprinter Michael Johnson to basketball celebrity Larry Fowl and Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang, the World College Video games has been the birthplace of many world-renowned sports activities personalities.
Wang Jiayi, vp of the organizing committee, stated on Wednesday that the Chinese language delegation is anticipated to encompass over 800 members, together with round 500 athletes, with the goal to take part in all occasions.
There are younger athletes able to observe within the footsteps of established stars. Olympic parallel bars gold medalist Zou Jingyuan, a Sichuan native, is among the many athletes to look at on the upcoming Universiade.
“I hope college college students from all over the world come to Chengdu and expertise the tradition, whether or not it is about delicacies or touring,” stated Zou throughout China’s Nationwide Gymnastics Championships lately held on the Dong’an Lake Sports activities Park.
“I hope they’ll really feel the fervour from the folks right here.”