Flying Thousands of Miles to Pursue Dreams: Cape Verde Athlete: Every Moment in Chengdu is Beautiful Athlete | Youth | Chengdu
At this year's Universiade, college athletes from 113 countries and regions competed on stage, blooming their youthful dreams. Among them, the Republic of Cape Verde, located in the North Atlantic's Cape Verde Islands, sent two athletes, marking the first time Cape Verde athletes have appeared on the field of the Universiade.
On this journey, the head of the Cape Verde delegation and a team of three athletes made three flights and flew for 26 hours. At this Universiade, Cape Verde sent two track and field athletes, Carlos and Ivanecia, who are both 20 years old. The University of Cape Verde, where they are located, is the first public university established in the area.
![Flying Thousands of Miles to Pursue Dreams: Cape Verde Athlete: Every Moment in Chengdu is Beautiful Athlete | Youth | Chengdu](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/b92a7b9f88a05c4878cbed3261f723e4.jpg)
Erikson, the head of the Cape Verde delegation at the 31st Summer Universiade in Chengdu: Although it's my first time in China, both the University of Cape Verde and the National Sports Center were built with Chinese assistance. We have seen welcoming centers such as the Universiade Village, and each building has a number. I think it's very friendly and familiar, which makes us very happy because there is a deep friendship between China and our country.
In addition to the competition, experience Chinese Tai Chi in the Dayun Village and stroll through Wangjiangting Park to experience the charm of traditional Chinese architecture, pavilions, and towers. They said they have been longing for Chinese culture since school, and after arriving in Chengdu, they want to learn more.
![Flying Thousands of Miles to Pursue Dreams: Cape Verde Athlete: Every Moment in Chengdu is Beautiful Athlete | Youth | Chengdu](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/3d9a834cab9fafe962fb7c488d8fe214.jpg)
Ivanecia, a track and field athlete from the Cape Verde delegation at the 31st Summer Universiade in Chengdu: Everyone is very enthusiastic, it's really great.
Carlos, a track and field athlete from the Cape Verde delegation at the 31st Summer Universiade in Chengdu: I feel like I'm going home. I've made a lot of friends, and now I can say a few words, such as, hello, thank you, you're welcome. I hope to learn more Chinese language and characters.
![Flying Thousands of Miles to Pursue Dreams: Cape Verde Athlete: Every Moment in Chengdu is Beautiful Athlete | Youth | Chengdu](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/2ca4b684fddbfd1dec66457224a9c28d.jpg)
Erikson, head of the Cape Verde delegation at the 31st Summer Universiade in Chengdu: I have taken many photos to bring this beautiful memory back to my country and invite more people to come here.
They said that being able to represent Cape Verde for the first time at the Universiade, although not awarded a medal, has created history. And the bigger gain is that I came to China.
![Flying Thousands of Miles to Pursue Dreams: Cape Verde Athlete: Every Moment in Chengdu is Beautiful Athlete | Youth | Chengdu](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/42f34be5a7f5d642d1fa4fb82b3839bf.jpg)
Erikson, the head of the Cape Verde delegation at the 31st Summer Universiade in Chengdu: Every moment in Chengdu is wonderful. The Chengdu Universiade brings us closer to China, and we hope to have more opportunities to establish more connections between Cape Verde and China, making the world a better place.