Chengdu, People's Republic of China - Giving the world a preview of what the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games will be like next summer, the Organising Committee staged a grand one-year-to-go countdown event, marking the milestone moment.
Held at 20:00 local time at the studios of the Chengdu Broadcasting Station, the one-year countdown ceremony was a grand affair that included the official release of a promotional ‘Sports Improve the City’ video, the launch of an AI Satellite named after the Games, as well as multiple creative performances from the Games’ ambassadors and Sichuan’s Olympic stars.
“This ceremony today is a gesture by the people of Chengdu that we are ready to go all in, for the run-up phase of the 2021 FISU World University Games,” said Fan Ruiping, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Chengdu Municipal Committee. “We will earnestly live up to the expectations endowed upon us and will uphold the principles of running the games in a green, smart, dynamic and collaborative manner.
“By keeping our bidding promise,” he continued, “We will put on stage a spectacular and unique sports event of youth with first-rate venues and facilities, sports organisation, service quality and premium city environment.”
The AI satellite 'Dayun' was officially unveiled, which is the first AI satellite named after a sports event. The AI satellite constellation will provide a unique perspective to track the changes in Chengdu during the preparations for the Games.
There was a special video message from FISU President Oleg Matytsin during which he complimented the Organising Committee for the progress made, despite the COVID-19 situation. "There is only one year to go until we celebrate the opening of the World University Games in Chengdu," he said. "One more year until Chengdu makes dreams come true."
Liao Changyong, the cultural exchange ambassador of the Games, Xu Weizhou, the mascot spokesman, and Zhang Bichen, the singer, together sang the original theme song 'Come By Dreams'. There were also live performances from the ambassadors Jiang Tingting, Jiang Wenwen, Feng Zhe, as well as Olympic champions and former Universiade stars.
The ceremony also witnessed the awarding of commemorative medals to Chengdu 2021 WUG official partners, and the release of the ‘Key Visual Design’ concept for Chengdu 2021.
“This will be the first global multi-sport event in Western China,” said Wang Fengchao, the acting Mayor of Chengdu. “In one year’s time, the Opening Ceremony will tell the story of Chengdu. The next one year will be very challenging for us, but because of the difficulty, it will be worth your expectations.”
The Chengdu Games will see athletes compete in 269 events across 18 sports: the compulsory FISU sports of athletics, diving, archery, basketball, volleyball, swimming, water polo, badminton, gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, fencing, judo, table tennis, taekwondo and tennis, as well as three optional sports of wushu, rowing and shooting.
In addition to being the hometown of pandas, Chengdu is the capital of the Sichuan Province and one of the largest cities in western China. With more than 4,500 years of civilisation and 2,300 years of urban history, the city is known colloquially as the ‘Land of Abundance’ and renowned around the globe as a gastronomic hotspot.
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Chengdu is a befitting centre for the World University Games, as it is a leading seat of education. It is home to 64 universities, including Sichuan University, with nearly 1 million enrolled students.
The 31st edition of the summer games are scheduled for 18 - 29 August 2020.
(Source: FISU)