Chengdu Universiade | Making the World a Better Place with the Vitality of Youth - Youth Exchange at Chengdu Universiade: A Glimpse of Youth Exchange Across the World | Youth | Universiade

On August 5th, Chengdu, Xinhua News Agency reported that the 31st Summer Universiade for College Students is being held in full swing during the peak summer season. 6500 young athletes from 113 countries and regions gathered in Chengdu, inspiring their youthful vitality, pursuing their dreams, and showcasing the brilliance and charm of contemporary college students to the world.

This is the opening ceremony scene filmed on July 28th. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Lei

On the field, they fight hard, compete for gold and silver, and exchange skills; Outside the arena, they warmly treated each other, made friends, and exchanged friendships. Youth from all over the world gather and get to know each other through the Chengdu Universiade, enhancing understanding in the grand event of youth, unity, and friendship.

Gathering, knowing, and embarking on the promise of youth together

As night falls, the cultural markets in the Chengdu Universiade Village shine brightly. University athletes from all over the world exchange and interact with each other with great interest, exchanging badges and sharing happiness.

"This ball is so light, it's so fun." 25-year-old Libyan athlete Isa experienced cuju and quickly mastered the technique. This 60 kilogram judo player skillfully lobbed a bamboo ball into the net hole and warmly welcomed passing Italian and Chinese athletes for their entry experience. Young people from a foreign land who didn't know each other quickly got together and were full of fun.

This is a scene of the Chengdu Universiade Dayun Village taken on July 15th. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Xi

Since the opening of the Chengdu Universiade, the Universiade Village has been filled with college athletes of different skin colors, nationalities, and languages. They met and knew each other, both inside and outside the village, as well as inside and outside the competition field. "Chengdu Achieves Dreams," the Chengdu Conference has become a gathering place for youth, sports, and dreams among young people around the world.

On July 31st, at the Dayun Village in Chengdu, Yang Wenyi, the inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage at the city level in Xinjin, demonstrated how to make Chinese knots. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Shen Bohan

Reno Ed, Acting President of the International Federation of Sports Federations, expressed gratitude to China for adhering to the concept of simplicity, safety, and excellence in hosting the games, fulfilling its solemn commitments, and ensuring the smooth hosting of the Chengdu Universiade. "After experiencing the long pandemic of only being able to meet online, everyone came to the Universiade Village again and lived together for 10 to 12 days. Delegates from 113 countries and regions reunited and used the opportunity after the competition to communicate with each other. This is great!" In Ed's eyes, this is the charm of the Universiade.

Mutual learning and learning, sharing colorful civilizations

These days, when E Mavilo from Indonesia speaks, his eyes are always full of light. In the men's martial arts swordsmanship competition, Maverilo won a silver medal. "When I fell in love with martial arts, I dreamed of standing on the podium in the birthplace of martial arts. Now, I have finally come to this moment," Marvelo said excitedly.

Marvello has had a "martial arts dream" since childhood, and he has had martial arts competitions with many young Chinese athletes. On the field, they are both opponents and friends. "I often ponder on the moves of Chinese athletes, learn their skills, and motivate myself to progress," said Marvello. The martial arts' virtues, such as physical fitness, chivalry and righteousness, and the spirit of benevolence and righteousness, are deeply ingrained in his heart.

On July 30th, Indonesian athlete Mavilo won the runner up in the men's fencing gold medal. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jia Haocheng

At the Universiade, we witness global youth engaging in cultural exchange and mutual learning from an equal, inclusive, and friendly perspective. In martial arts competitions, foreign athletes have chosen music with a Chinese style as their soundtrack: Japanese players have chosen the excerpt from "Butterfly Lovers", while Algerian players have chosen the film and television interlude from "The Legend of Sword and Fairy Heroes"... "When boxing, listening to the melody of" Butterfly Lovers "feels very beautiful, and in one move, it can calm the mind and calm the mind," said Japanese player Mohua Guchuan.

With the joint efforts of China, the International Sports Federation, and delegations from various countries and regions, the Chengdu Universiade has become an international sports event with Chinese characteristics, contemporary atmosphere, and youthful charm. At this year's Universiade, Chinese cultural symbols such as the Sun Bird and Panda deeply attracted young athletes from around the world.

Italian torchbearer Su Yunzhe personally lit the "Sun God Bird" patterned cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Universiade. He proudly said that the "Sun God Bird" embodies the Chinese people's spirit of harmony, inclusiveness, and pursuit of light since ancient times, and is a symbol of strength, hope, and auspiciousness. "I believe that the significance of a torchbearer is not only to convey the torch, but also to convey a spirit of unity and friendship, as well as cultural exchange."

On July 28th, Italian international student Su Yunzhe took photos after attending the opening ceremony of the Universiade at the main stadium of Dong'an Lake Sports Park in Chengdu. Shen Jizhong

During the Universiade, cultural exchange outside the venue takes place every day. At the Tianfu Art Park, the 2023 Chengdu Biennale showcases 476 works by 235 artists from 22 countries and regions, attracting numerous Chinese and foreign audiences.

Gu Yi, a 25-year-old man from Chengdu, went to the exhibition specifically and was impressed by a set of paintings created by British artist David Hockney using a tablet computer. "The colorful strokes outline the vibrant vitality of spring. The author's painting on the iPad is an exploration and very inspiring," said Gu Yi.

In the exhibition hall, artist Xu Bing's "English Square Calligraphy Classroom" caught the interest of Polish fencer Alexander. The fonts created by Xu Bing transform English letters into radicals in calligraphy, combining English words into brand new calligraphy blocks.

"Beyond cultural exchange and communication between the East and the West, breaking through traditional thinking and finding new perspectives is the value of this work." Alexander picked up a brush in the experience area and wrote an ancient "rabbit" character on paper. After living in the Dayun Village for a few days, Alexander had a strong sense of identification with the Chinese zodiac sign. "I just learned to write with a brush in the Dayun Village. I am a rabbit and this year is my zodiac year."

Working Together Together to Create a Better Future

Civilization is diverse, and the world is colorful. The young athletes participating in the Chengdu Universiade are writing about their brilliance and future with their own efforts.

Taekwondo player Olami, who is studying at the Anthropology Department of Adkul Ajaxin University, is a big and gentle person who loves to laugh. He has outstanding taekwondo skills and is also a member of the Nigerian national volleyball team. His greatest wish is to step onto the Olympic stage as a volleyball player.

"Sports are my driving force and have given me many opportunities. I benefited from athlete scholarships when I went to college. As a student majoring in anthropology, participating in sports events also allowed me to learn about cultures around the world while competing. In the future, I want to become an athlete's psychological counselor, combining my knowledge and expertise to help athletes relieve their emotions," said Olami.

At the Universiade, touching stories about surpassing the outcome of competitions continue to unfold. In a badminton game, Chinese player Tan Qiang saw that his opponent Brazilian player Welton's sneakers were a bit old. His first reaction was, "He came all the way to compete, and I want to give him a pair of shoes to let him feel the warmth from China." When Tan Qiang handed the new shoes to Welton, he repeatedly said "thank you" and gave Tan Qiang a high five hug.

Tan Qiang Gives Wellton sneakers as a gift

Equal and inclusive, we can definitely share a colorful world; Together, we will definitely create a better future. Nepalese player Niachion Kushar said that although he lost in table tennis, there is still a giant panda that people all over the world love here. Many foreign athletes also share the joy of seeing pandas with their own eyes in the "hometown of giant pandas".

Despite coming from all over the world, the young people participating in the Universiade have a heart to heart connection and emotional connection. They sent birthday wishes to the award-winning athletes, interpreting harmony but difference, beauty and unity in the simplest way possible.

On August 1st, after the women's 25 meter pistol team competition in the shooting event, Chinese athlete Lin Yaxi stood on the highest podium, and the audience and Chinese and foreign athletes unexpectedly sang a happy birthday song. Lin Yaxi shed happy tears. Originally, it happened to be her 20th birthday. I thought a gold medal would be the best birthday gift, but I didn't expect to receive a special surprise. "Friends from all over the world celebrate my birthday together, this scene is so unforgettable!" Lin Yaxi said excitedly.

On August 1st, Chinese team players Xiong Yaxuan, Lin Yaqian, and Wang Keyi celebrated at the award ceremony. On that day, the Chinese team won the championship in the women's 25 meter pistol team event at the Universiade shooting event. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cao Yiming

Civilization is colorful through communication, and culture is enriched through mutual learning. The friendship between nations lies in people to people matchmaking, which should start from youth. College students of different skin colors, nationalities, and languages gather in Chengdu to view harmony and diversity from an equal, inclusive, and friendly perspective. They approach various cultures with an attitude of appreciation, mutual learning, and mutual learning, and promote world peace and development with the vitality of youth.

This is the appearance that youth should have, this is the beauty that the world should have!