100-day countdown starts for university games in Chengdu

Fenghuangshan Sports Park Gymnasium is a venue for the 31st World University Games Summer which will start in Chengdu in July. (YAN JIE/FOR CHINA DAILY)

With 100 days to go before the opening of the 31st Summer World University Games, representatives from all walks of life in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, vowed to present a unique and splendid event to the world.

The Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games will be held from July 28 to Aug 8, which will make Chengdu the third city on the Chinese mainland to host the biennial event, following Beijing in 2001 and Shenzhen in 2011.

A total of 500 representatives from different fields gathered along with residents at Dong'an Lake Sports Park on Wednesday to participate in countdown activities.

Peng Qiuyan, a representative of volunteers, said she had been looking forward to the games since Chengdu won its bid for the event in 2018. "We are ready to go and present to the world the spirit of Chinese youth," she said.

Yu Jialin, a representative of the athletes' village team, said she and her colleagues will do their best to prepare. "With smiles and warm service, we would like to make a contribution to a successful event," she said.

Dong'an Lake Sports Park, venue for the opening ceremony and top competitions, offered sports events, markets and concerts to help visitors experience a taste of what the games will bring.

Zhang Wenzhuo, who came to skate at the park with his friends, said he has felt more satisfaction in recent years, as the city has built many sports facilities while preparing for the games.

The 23-year-old skateboarder said he has made many friends by participating in sports, and would like to make friends with university athletes from all over the world during the games.

After four years of preparation, Chengdu has built a number of sport venues, trained professional organizers and planned various educational, cultural and sports activities.

All 49 competition venues for the event have been completed and meet international standards, and athletes will compete for 269 gold medals in 18 sports.