Countdown ceremony sparks anticipation for 2025 Chengdu World Games

With one year left before the opening of the 2025 Chengdu World Games, the host city held a countdown ceremony on Wednesday night.

Jose Perurena, president of the International World Games Association, said in a video speech that this day marks a milestone and is a key step in the preparations for the great event.

He expressed his high recognition for the organizing committee's preparations, hailing its hard work, dedication and commitment as extraordinary.

"Chengdu sets a level of excellence that motivates us all," said Perurena. "We trust that Chengdu, with its solid experience and unique sense of hospitality, will deliver a successful, wonderful and outstanding edition of the World Games."

The World Games is a multi-sport event staged by the IWGA every four years. Chengdu, the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, will be the first city on the Chinese mainland to host the event.

During the ceremony, the Chengdu Games' mascots—Shu Bao and Jin Zai—met with the attendees in a video, and a fashion show featured the event's first official apparel.

To celebrate the one-year countdown, the organizing committee has been hosting a series of promotional activities from Tuesday to Sunday in Chengdu, along with Beijing and Hong Kong.

A World Games Carnival in the city's eastern new area showcases performances and sports events that will feature at the Chengdu Games, such as breaking, martial arts, roller skating, flying disc and korfball.

The Chengdu World Games, scheduled to run from Aug 7 to 17 next year, are expected to attract more than 4,000 athletes from around the world to compete in 35 sports, according to the Chengdu Games' executive committee.

Zhu Ming, deputy director of the Sichuan Sports Bureau, said the Chengdu Games will take place at 28 venues across the city, and efforts are currently underway to accelerate the preparatory work for the construction and renovation of these venues.

Aiming to become an internationally renowned sports city, Chengdu has hosted several international sports events, including the Chengdu FISU World University Games in 2021, the Chengdu 2022 World Team Table Tennis Championships, and the World Police and Fire Games in 2019.