The bid document for the 26th World University Games was submitted to the International University Sports Federation (FISU) in Brussels Wednesday by a delegation from Shenzhen Municipal Government. This was the formal start to the city's efforts to secure the biannual event.

It's the nation's latest campaign to host a significant international sports event after Beijing and Harbin successfully won the rights to hold the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and 2009 World University Winter Games.

China's State Council agreed to Shenzhen bidding in December 2004 for the 2011 Universiade. The Shenzhen government has been working on the bid document since gaining approval.

The document, in Chinese, English, French and Spanish, won high praise from Roch Campana, secretary general of the IUSF who said he was impressed with its quality and Shenzhen's determination to host the event.

In their report the city government promised to build 12 new stadiums and gyms in Futian, Nanshan and Luohu districts.

In all five cities submitted bids to host the event -- Poznan in Poland, Kazan in Russia, Murcia in Spain, Edmonton in Canada and Kaohsiung of Chinese Taipei.

More cities are likely to enter the fray before the deadline today which will make it the most hotly contested ever.

Shenzhen Mayor Xu Zongheng will give a presentation in Turin, Italy, on July 1, 2007 when the winning city will be announced.

If Shenzhen wins it'll become the second Chinese city to hold the games after Beijing hosted the 21st World Universiade in 2001.

In fact Beijing hosted a highly successful Universiade just two months after it won the rights to host the 2008 Olympics.

China has a glorious history in Universiade competition. In Beijing 2001 and Daegu 2003 they topped the medal standing.

(China Daily June 30, 2006)