SHENZHEN – Today, August 12th, the kick-off of the 26th Summer Universiade took place with the traditional Opening Ceremony. A third Universiade for China, after 2001 (Summer) in Beijing and 2009 (Winter) in Harbin. Therefore, the expectations were high as the Chinese are known to be masters in staging big shows. And once again the hosts did not disappoint. A dazzling and colorful show took place in front of 25,000 spectators giving the green light for 12 days of thrilling sport competitions between student-athletes in 24 sports.
After a pre-ceremony warm-up of with song and dance, it was time for the real thing. A brilliant flash of light illuminates the huge stage in the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre ‘Spring Cocoon’, to depict an information highway running through the stadium as a vivid symbol of this Universiade, representing the information age.
The national flag of China enters in a sea of flowers and is followed by a marching band of university students. The crowd raises when the flag is hoisted while China’s national anthem is played.
1,000 beautiful girls holding flowers flow into a remote mist and gather a piece of a radiant stars river. On the ‘Gate of the World’, which is 26m high and 125m wide, performers harmoniously move back boards on the giant screen. Numerous drums salute the great era of reform and opening-up; the Chinese calculator, reminds the spectators of the glories of ancient Chinese civilization.
Then the giant screens shows a countdown and when this comes to an end, a giant representing the spirit of the Opening-up and Reform Era opens the ‘Gate of the World’ for the delegations to enter. Led by beautiful Chinese girls, the athletes walk along ‘Youth Avenue’. At the rostrum, they separate in two different directions and get seated in their designated sections.
Chinese President Hu Jingtao opens the GamesThe three high ranking officials of the Universiade, Mr. Wang Rong, Vice-President of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Yuan Guiren, President of the OC and Mr. Killian, outgoing FISU President deliver their speech from the middle of the arena while surrounded by bright colors. At the end of his speech, Mr. Killian invites the President of China, Mr. Hu Jingtao to declare the Universiade open.
The flying colorful silk and petals, the fireworks on the big screen – environment friendly – and a meteor shower marks the prelude of a carnival. Using the universal language of music and dance, university students take us to a passionate and energetic world.
Athlete’s and Referee’s OathThen the FISU flag finally arrives in the stadium. It is hoisted while the FISU anthem, the ‘Gaudeamus Igitur’ is played and everybody stands. The flag hoisting is followed by the oaths by the representatives of the athletes and referees.
More music is played and everybody is in awe when a violin player is lifted up high in the sky from the main rostrum. Acrobats appear on the stage giving a marvelous performance. Emerged in university campus atmosphere, piled-up books, colorful gene-links and models with knowledge-symbolized fashion clothes display a picture of ‘Book Mountain and Knowledge Sea’. The performers wearing baccalaureate gowns on the ‘Gate of the World’ remind people of their memory of anticipation to campus life.
Speeches
The bicycle riders appear on the stage depicting the green road, stretching more than 2,000 miles in Shenzhen and Guangdong. And then the torch with the flame arrives. Five different torch bearers run a final lap around the stage. The last torch bearer is joined by four others, while all five of them represent the 5 continents, symbolizing unity. The five run through the ‘Gate of the World’ up to the five FISU stars and as they lit the stars, highway of fire finally lights the big cauldron with the Universiade flame. Let the Games begin!
It was a great honor forFISUto have the President of China open the Universiade. Besides Mr. Hu Jingtao, seven other heads of state were present at the Opening Ceremony, i.e. the Prime Minister ofHungary, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, the President of Sri Lanka, the President of Fiji, the President of Bolivia, the President of Mozambique and the President of Tatarstan. They all met briefly with outgoing President George Killian.
C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer/ Shenzhen OC
Killian meets Chinese President Hun Jiingtao
The President of Bolivia was present as well
A big Russian delegation
Malaysia
Barbados
China, the biggest delegation
(Photos: C. Pierre)
Check out how FISU Young Reporter Justin Fauteux experienced the Opening Ceremony.
Living an Athlete’s Dream
When nearly 12,000 athletes, coaches and officials are gathered outside a stadium, there’s bound to be some anticipation. And that was exactly the case on Friday night as the 152 national delegations of the 2011FISUSummer University Games lined up — a line up that stretched for miles — outside Shenzhen Bay Stadium, awaiting their chance to be welcomed into the Games’ opening ceremonies.
What appeared to be an ordinary stadium wall separated the athletes from what awaited them inside the stadium and though they weren’t quite sure what they were walking into, they knew it was going to be something to remember.
“It’s really exciting, I can’t wait to get inside,” said Belgian swimmer Poels Corentin. “I feel like once we get inside the stadium it will just be like an explosion.” And that explosion did occur, in the form of cheers on applause — both from the fans inside the stadium and the athletes waiting outside — when that seemingly ordinary stadium wall was illuminated by a choreographed dance and light show and then parted to reveal the packed 20,000-seat stadium. With their cameras, camcorders and cell phones raised, capturing this once in a lifetime event, the athletes made their way into the stadium, being greeted by a roar from the crowd.
“It’s amazing, I’ve never seen something like this in my life,” said Thiago Alves ofBrazil’s men’s volleyball team. “My heart is beating so fast… I will never forget this moment.”
As they moved to their seats, the delegations’ reception did not wane. Most of the athletes and coaches interacted with the crowd, tossing souvenirs of their country to the appreciative mostly Chinese fans.
For some, the whole experience was almost overwhelming. “I am speechless. This is like being in the Olympics,” said Canadian basketball player Julie Seabrook. “It’s amazing. I can’t even explain how proud I am just to play forCanadaand now to be able involved in something like [the opening ceremonies], it almost brings me to tears.”
The delegations were then treated to several performances, which involved nearly 8,000 Chinese youth and young adults. And the cultural experience was not lost on the young athletes.
“You can tell they’ve put a lot of work into this and it looks really good. This is probably one of the best things I’ve ever been a part of in my life,” said Canadian basketball player Jahmal Jones.
However, the younger members of the delegations weren’t the only ones blown away by the opening ceremonies experience.
“Again,China’s put on a great extravaganza,” said TeamCanadachef de mission Peter Baxter, who was a part of the Canadian delegation at the 2009 Winter Universiade inHarbin,China.
“We’re all just so excited to be a part of this…. I don’t think anyone understands it until they walk into the stadium with their uniform on. This is a lifetime experience for everyone here.”
FISU Young Reporter with the Canadian delegation
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