Universiade fosters friendship among global youth, says opening ceremony director
- By Wang Yiming
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E-mail China.org.cn, July 31, 2023
The 31st FISU World University Games, a global sporting event for student-athletes, kicked off in Chengdu on July 28, with a spectacular ceremony at Dong'an Lake Sports Park Stadium.
Fireworks light up the night sky during the 31st FISU Summer World University Games opening ceremony in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province, July 28, 2023. [Photo by Lun Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]
The international sporting event, which has captivated global attention, was hailed by Chen Weiya, the chief director of the opening ceremony, as an opportunity for young athletes from diverse backgrounds to foster friendship on an international stage.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Chen said that his team wanted to convey through the opening ceremony that the Universiade offers a platform for young people from all over the world to connect and form friendships. He also hoped that the athletes who came to Chengdu would embrace the vitality of youth and the spirit of sportsmanship.
According to Chen, the opening ceremony was a genuine celebration of young people, with the content centered around youth and over 99% of the performers being college students.
In addition, the ceremony spotlighted China's abundant cultural heritage, featuring elements such as the Sun and Immortal Birds Gold Ornament, Shu brocade, the Sichuan opera "face change," and pandas. The director emphasized that the ceremony aimed to present the excellent culture, history, and humanity of China, Sichuan, and Chengdu to an international young audience.
"I hope they can find joy in these excellent cultures, and also hope they can develop an appreciation for these cultures," Chen said.
One particularly notable moment during the ceremony came when 31 torchbearers lit the main torch, setting a record for the most torchbearers in Universiade history. Chen revealed the symbolism behind the number, stating, "The 31 torchbearers symbolize the 31st World University Games and represent outstanding college students from diverse backgrounds." Leading this group was Ye Guangfu, an astronaut based in Chengdu, who, according to Chen, epitomizes young people's pursuit of science and technology, as well as representing Chengdu's residents.
As the 31st Summer Universiade unfolds in Chengdu, 6,500 athletes from 113 countries and regions are competing in 269 events across 18 sports.
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