CHENGDU, China, Aug. 7, 2023 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

In the middle of summer, the 31st FISU World University Games is underway. 6500

young athletes from 113 countries and regions gathered in Chengdu. They are

showing the brilliance and elegance of contemporary college students to the

world, according to Executive Committee of the 31st FISU World University Games.

At the beginning of the night, the cultural market in Chengdu Universiade

Village is colorful with Pitch Pot, Cuju, weaving... College athletes from all

over the world interact with each other with great interest, exchanging badges,

and sharing happiness.

"The ball is so light. It's so fun." Isa, a 25-year-old Libyan athlete,

experienced Cuju and quickly mastered the technique. The 60kg judo player,

lightly shot the bamboo ball into the net hole, warmly greeted the passing

Italian and Chinese athletes to experience Cuju with him. Young people from

foreign countries who did not know each other soon got together and had a lot

of fun.

Since the opening of the Universiade in Chengdu, the village has been filled

with university athletes of different colors, nationalities and languages.

During the Universiade, they met and knew each other. Chengdu makes the dreams

come true. Chengdu will become a gathering of global youth to sports and dreams.

Leonz Eder, acting president of FISU, thanked China for its simple, safe and

wonderful concept of hosting the games, earnestly fulfilling its solemn

commitments and ensuring the smooth hosting of the Universiade in Chengdu.

"After experiencing a long epidemic where we could only meet online, we once

again came to the Universiade Village to live together for 10 to 12 days. It

was great to have delegations from 113 countries and territories reunite and

use the opportunity after the games to network with each other." In Eder's

eyes, this is the charm of the Universiade.

Thanks to the joint efforts of China, the International University Sports

Federation and delegations from various countries and regions, the Chengdu

Universiade has become an international sports event with Chinese

characteristics, the spirit of the times and the style of youth. At the

Universiade, Chinese cultural symbols such as the Sunbird and the panda deeply

attracted young athletes from all over the world.

Italian torchbearer Su Yunzhe lit the Sunbird torch plate at the opening

ceremony of the Universiade. He proudly said that the Sunbird demonstrates the

Chinese people's spiritual character of harmony, tolerance and pursuit of light

since ancient times, and is a symbol of strength, hope and good luck. "I

believe that the meaning of the torchbearer is not just passing the torch, but

more of a spiritual transmission as well as transmission of solidarity,

friendship and cultural exchanges."

During the Games, cultural exchanges off the field take place every day. In the

Tianfu Art Park, the "2023 Chengdu Biennial Exhibition" exhibits 476 works by

235 artists from 22 countries and regions, attracting a large number of Chinese

and foreign audiences.

"Equality and inclusiveness will ensure a colorful world. Together, we will

create a better future." Nepalese player Nyachon Kushal said that although she

lost the table tennis match, she met the giant panda loved by people all over

the world in Chengdu. Many foreign athletes also shared the joy of seeing

pandas in the Chengdu, hometown of giant pandas.

Civilizations are enriched by exchanges and cultures are enriched by mutual

learning. College students of different colors, nationalities and languages

meet in Chengdu to view harmony and diversity from the perspective of equality,

inclusiveness and fraternity, to appreciate and learn from different cultures,

and to promote world peace and development with their youthful vitality.

Source: Executive Committee of the 31st FISU World University Games