Chengdu Universiade | Gathering Youth Power to Create a Better Future China makes New Contributions to the Development of International Youth Sports | University Students | World | Sports Industry

On the night of August 8th, in the Chengdu Open Air Music Park, as everyone watched, the central screen of the closing ceremony of the 31st Summer Universiade showed the main torch tower of the Universiade standing by the Dong'an Lake. The flames slowly extinguished and transformed into a shining flame. The soaring "Sun God Bird" picked up the spark and passed it on to a young man, circling and flying towards the distance.

This night, youth once again boils with reunion and farewell. This summer, unity has become more friendship due to mutual understanding and learning.

Unforgettable 2023, China and the Universiade once again embrace each other. The vast land in western China is welcoming a world-class comprehensive sports event for the first time. The hospitable Chinese people once again showcase their unique cuteness, approachability, and respect to the world.

This grand event is a solemn commitment made by China to the world and a brilliant contribution made by a responsible major country to the development of international youth sports.

Chengdu Achieves Dreams, China makes New Contributions

"Chengdu Achieving Dreams" is a beautiful wish from the host city to all the participating youth from around the world, and it is also a common aspiration of all college athletes.

On the evening of August 4th, amidst cheers from the audience, Chinese athlete Wu Yanni won the silver medal in the women's 100m hurdles at this year's Universiade, and her time of 12.76 seconds also met the standards for both the World Championships and the Paris Olympics. After the competition, she excitedly said, "Liu Xiang won the men's 110m hurdles championship at the 2004 Athens Olympics, which has always inspired our generation of athletes to strive to stand on the Olympic stage and bring glory to our country." The Universiade allowed this "Sichuan girl" to fulfill her dream of entering Paris at her doorstep.

On August 4th, Chinese athlete Wu Yanni competed in the women's 100m hurdles final at the Chengdu Universiade. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Deng Hua

"When I qualified to compete in Chengdu, my dream had already been realized," said German track and field athlete Jens, who won the gold medal in the men's 3000m obstacle race. "Chengdu has realized my dream. The next Universiade will be held in Germany, and I will bring this gold medal back to my country, hoping to bring more encouragement to young people in Germany."

The dreams of youth are colorful, and the field of the Universiade is full of excitement. In recent days, young people from all over the world have been constantly challenging themselves and breaking records in various events - men's 100m breaststroke, women's 50m butterfly, men's 400m in athletics, men's 10m air rifle shooting team... A total of 22 people have broken the records in 14 events.

What stands out more than grades is the spirit of athletes pursuing excellence and daring to climb new heights.

On August 5th, during the men's horizontal bar final of the gymnastics event, Kazakhstani athlete Karimi, who had just climbed the bar, accidentally broke his elbow guard and fell down. After discussion, the on-site technical officials allowed him to reappear after the other contestants finished the competition. Chinese athlete Shi Cong scored a high score of 14.600 in the competition, and almost everyone believed that the champion was none other than him. But Karimi, who appeared again, broke through his bridges and conquered the referee with a set of relaxed and precise movements, ultimately winning the men's horizontal bar championship with a narrow margin of 0.2 points. Calm in the battle, the Jedi countered and won warm applause from the audience.

Over the past decade, competitions in 18 major events and 269 minor events have been held in various competition venues of the Universiade. The tenacious struggle and unwillingness to fall behind of college students from all over the world vividly demonstrate the purpose of the Universiade, which is "friendship, universal love, fairness, perseverance, integrity, cooperation, and hard work".

What is more touching than the championship is the gathering of young people from all over the world.

At this Universiade, 6500 college athletes from 113 countries and regions gathered in Chengdu. Since the start of the competition, scenes of athletes exchanging greetings, encouragement, and respect can be seen everywhere on the field, the Universiade Village, and the press conference hall.

"Come on, girl!" On August 2, as soon as the final of women's taekwondo above 73kg was over, Tawakoli, the Iranian player who won the silver medal, hugged Akblak, the bronze medalist of Türkiye. Previously, in the semi-finals of this level, Tawakoli narrowly defeated Akbrak by a narrow margin, and Akbrak suffered an arm injury in the fierce confrontation. Fighting during the game, embracing after the game, appreciating and respecting each other, sports make young people around the world more united and friendly.

The Universiade is not only a stage for athletes to fulfill their dreams, but also a spiritual fertile ground for volunteers to contribute, be friendly, help each other, and progress. At this Universiade, more than 20000 competition volunteers and more than 11000 city volunteers devoted themselves to service and dedication.

Hu Jingquan is a veteran of the three dynasties among volunteers for the Chengdu Universiade. Four years ago, as a freshman student, he immediately signed up to participate in the recruitment of volunteers for the Universiade. Although he experienced two delays due to the epidemic, his original intention remained unchanged and his enthusiasm remained undiminished. "I am a student majoring in sports, and serving the Universiade has been my dream throughout my undergraduate studies. The 12 days of serving the Universiade were my best graduation gift," he said.

What is even more admirable about the competition is the Chinese wisdom and strength that China has contributed to large-scale international competitions.

Since Chengdu City self organized this year's Universiade, it has seized the "extension window period" and accelerated the construction, renovation, and expansion of 49 venues. The functional hardware and service software have all reached international competition standards, and only the Universiade test events have been held twice.

During the bidding, preparation, and hosting process of the competition, Chengdu has always adhered to the concept of low-carbon and environmental protection. Autonomous buses, autonomous subways, 3D photography, cold storage cooling vests, intelligent toilets... A large number of new technologies and high-tech are widely used in venue construction, operation management, service guarantee and other fields.

"China's ability to host international sports events is impressive," said Anthony Edgar, former director of media operations at the International Olympic Committee. The media operations expert who collaborated with China at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics, and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics said that this visit to Chengdu not only felt the extremely high level of competition and enthusiasm for the Universiade in Chengdu, but also impressed the world-class venues, lush greenery, and beautiful cityscape here.

Building a Bridge of Friendship, China Presents New Business Cards

12 days ago, Reno Ed, Acting President of the International Federation of Sports Federations, said at the opening ceremony of the Universiade, "We live in a world full of uncertainty, facing an uncertain future. Come here and cheer for each other in a peaceful way, which has pointed the way for the future."

Over the past 12 days, Chengdu's enthusiasm has ignited the summer and moved the world. The sound of "majestic rise" echoed through the scene, and the phrase "Bashi" echoed in the audience. The athletes of the Universiade once spent countless dry and lonely days and nights on the training ground, which was rewarded with thunderous cheers in various competition venues in Chengdu.

On July 30th, an unexpected scene occurred at the men's swordsmanship competition, where an Iranian athlete accidentally flew a knife out during the competition. At this moment, almost all the audience on site stood up and applauded, cheering him on. On the same day, in the men's judo 81kg competition, Georgian athlete Davalashvili Zul won a bronze medal. He said it was the enthusiastic cheers and cross-border support from the audience that allowed him to persevere in the adversity of the competition. "This medal also has the credit of the audience!"

Zhao Jing, the director of the International Federation of Sports Federations for the Summer Universiade, said that since the opening, her biggest experience has been the "heat" of Chengdu - the scorching heat of sunny summer days, the sweat of athletes, the enthusiasm of volunteers, and the high applause of the audience... all reflect the heat of the "Universiade City".

The fireworks of Rongcheng are the most soothing to the hearts of young people; The flavor of Chinese culture is even more intoxicating.

On August 7th, students from Chengdu University performed "Meeting the Universiade" at the "Achieving Dreams" Song and Dance Gala. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Shen Bohan

From the unique themed evening parties and intangible cultural heritage skills in the Dayun Village, to the urban atmosphere of tea bowls and hot pot, to the green trees and red walls of Du Fu Thatched Cottage, the "Sun God Bird" of Jinsha Museum, and the "Rongbao" prototype "Sesame" of Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base... College athletes not only experience China's vast and profound cultural heritage, but also the local people's delicious and ordinary life, and deeply feel the warmth and friendliness of people.

The main media center by Dong'an Lake is a leisure area that gathers cultural experiences such as calligraphy, sugar figurines, martial arts, Sichuan opera, and tea art, becoming a check-in destination for media professionals worldwide. In recent days, in addition to conducting professional and rapid event coverage, they have also sent back many reports on traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritage and urban landscape to their own countries.

Japanese journalist Ichiro Daikin, who was visiting China for the first time, was "shocked" by the thoughtful service provided by the organizers. "From the very beginning, there were volunteers picking me up from the plane, and there was Japanese translation support, which was very helpful to me. The staff and citizens were very enthusiastic," he said.

Through the Universiade, Chengdu has become a window for people to learn about China. Through it, we can see the myriad aspects of Chinese path to modernization; Through the Universiade, Chengdu has become a business card for people to remember China, and through it, beautiful memories can be remembered for a long time.

As she is about to bid farewell to Chengdu, Brazilian athlete De Oliveira Rez's backpack contains many file bags and pendants featuring the image of "Rongbao". The "Rongbao" doll is her favorite. The adorable giant panda has always been an ambassador and symbol of China's peace and friendship. She said that packing them in bags can bring Chengdu and the beauty of China back to her hometown.

Youth never ends, the world rushes towards a new future

The closing night of the Universiade on August 8th was a grand gathering and farewell ceremony.

On stage, the ancient qin of the Eastern Shu school harmonizes with the Western violin "High Mountains and Flowing Water" and "Eternal Friendship", while the Sichuan opera Qingyi and the rap singer sing in traditional and fashionable forms. Chinese and foreign university students and performers perform together on stage... This is a fusion of classical and modern, a fusion of East and West.

On August 8th, the actors performed at the closing ceremony. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Bingjie

The Universiade is a witness. From Beijing 22 years ago to Shenzhen 12 years ago, and now to Chengdu, the Chinese footprint of the Universiade has been accompanied by China's deepening of reform and opening up, regional coordinated development, promotion of common prosperity, and national prosperity.

Ma Yigu, the athlete who won the gold medal in the men's 60kg martial arts Sanda final, walked through the deep mountains during the Red Army's "Yi Sea Alliance". His growth process is the best annotation of the development of youth sports in western China. In his hometown of Mianning County, the "fighting youth" Ji Yi Ajie, who was eager to step out of the mountains, benefited from the school's sports specialty education and returned to campus to win the championship of the Sichuan Youth Boxing Championships.

The Universiade is the driving force. In the past four years of preparing for the competition, Chengdu has adhered to the concept of "simplicity, safety, and excitement" in organizing the competition, unifying "organizing the competition, running the city, promoting industry, and benefiting the people", striving to "organize a good meeting and revitalize a city".

In the past three years, Chengdu has signed a total of 115 major sports industry projects with a signing amount exceeding 87 billion yuan. In 2022, the total scale of sports consumption in Chengdu increased to 57.86 billion yuan, an increase of 44.5% compared to 2018, and was selected as one of the first national sports consumption pilot cities. In 2022, the total output value of the sports industry in the city reached 100.5 billion yuan, an increase of 59% compared to 2018. The rapid development of sports industry has led to a rapid increase in the sports population in Chengdu, which is expected to exceed 9.5 million people this year. During the city wide "hot training", the qualified rate of citizens' physical fitness reached 94.61%, achieving "seven consecutive upgrades".

The Universiade is also a practitioner. China's wisdom and responsibility in overcoming the impact of the epidemic and successfully hosting competitions have set an example for promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind and promoting peace and development for mankind.

Dong Guanpeng, Vice President of the China Public Relations Association and Dean of the National Institute of Public Relations and Strategic Communication at Communication University of China, believes that after three years of the pandemic, the Chengdu Universiade has provided the world with a "cure" and the best interpretation of China's responsible image as a major country. In a world of change, many barriers arise due to the suspension of communication, and the full interaction at the recent two weeks of the Universiade has allowed for the full transmission and exchange of massive information, which is extremely precious. This has made China's contribution to creating a more united and beautiful future for the world's youth.

The competition has a schedule, and the Universiade will never come to an end. The 49 competition venues will become the most obvious sports heritage left by the Universiade to Chengdu, and the Universiade Village will continue to play a platform role in the interaction, exchange, and integration of young university students around the world. More importantly, the youthful vitality it injects into this city and even the country will continue.

Gathering and dispersing sometimes, youth never ends. Farewell is a beautiful beginning, and closing is a magnificent prelude. When Chinese and German dancers dance together, they know that the next gathering will not be far away. Eric Senchao, Secretary General of the International Federation of Sports Federations, said that the future is in the hands of young people, who are the ones who will change the world.

The grand event of youth, the grand event of unity, the grand event of friendship, the future of the world's youth is promising, and the future of the youth world is promising!