Global Connection | Italian Volunteers Looking Forward to Contributing to the Universiade | Wangjiang | Universiade | Global
Chengdu, July 28th (Xinhua) - In the summer, the Wangjiang Campus of Sichuan University is lush with vegetation and blooming lotus flowers. In the gymnasium, volunteers are conducting pre match comprehensive exercises for the 31st Chengdu Summer Universiade. Cheraso Alexandro, a master's student majoring in Chinese International Education at Sichuan University in Italy, is one of them.
"In case of disputes among the audience, timely mediation is necessary. If any audience falls ill, they can be taken to the medical center in the venue for treatment..." Alexandro, wearing a T-shirt with the Universiade "U" emblem, answered any possible emergencies one by one.
During the Universiade, college Taekwondo athletes from around the world will compete here, producing 23 gold medals. During the 7-day race, Alexandro served as an audience service assistant, responsible for guiding the on-site audience to enter and exit, and answering their questions.
"I can speak Italian, Chinese, and English, and when encountering audiences from different countries and regions, I can better serve them," said 34 year old Alexandro proudly.
In Alexandro's view, he has an inexplicable connection with the Universiade - the 30th Summer Universiade was held in his hometown of Italy. From Italy to China, from Naples to Chengdu, this international sports event has built a bridge, promoting communication and exchange among countries, and enhancing friendship among university students around the world. "I look forward to making more friends and meeting athletes from my hometown," said Alexandro, hoping to contribute to cultural exchange among university students from various countries at the Universiade.
On July 25th, Italian Universiade volunteer Ceraso Alexandro talked to another volunteer in the volunteer rest area of the sports hall at Sichuan University's Wangjiang campus. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Xiaoying
When it comes to befriending China, Alexandro said that many years ago, he made some Sichuan friends while studying in Australia from his hometown of Rome. "My friends introduced me to Sichuan University, a century old prestigious university. In 2015, I came to Sichuan University to study."
After studying and living in Chengdu for nearly 8 years, Alexandro has witnessed the rapid development of this city located in the southwestern hinterland of China. He has fallen in love with this inclusive, friendly, and vibrant city, developed a fluent Chinese language, and developed a "spicy stomach" that loves hot pot and skewers. However, the delicious food everywhere in Chengdu also brought him "trouble": "I gained over 30 pounds more than when I first came to China."
"The Universiade reignited my passion for sports." In March of this year, Alexandro became a volunteer for the Universiade and was determined to lose weight through exercise. He also recorded his weight change over the past month in his WeChat Moments: "Exercise makes life better, and he achieved the small goal of losing 20 pounds before the Universiade.".
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Reporter: Yang Kaile, Wang Zihe, Jiang Weiwei, Chen Yixin, Li Yixuan
Editing: Zhang Benle and Wang Pei
Jointly produced by Xinhua News Agency International Department Sichuan Branch
Produced by Xinhua News Agency's International Communication Integration Platform