“As a Sichuan native, I warmly welcome you all to Chengdu,” track and field athlete Wu Yanni said at the opening press conference of the Chengdu FISU World University Games.
“I am proud to give back to my city and my country. This is a place to realize my dreams.”
The 100-m hurdler will be one of 6,500 athletes from 113 countries competing in the two-year delayed international event, which officially kicked off in the evening with a spectacular opening ceremony at the Dong’an Lake Sports Park Stadium.
Henning Bennet Mühlleithner, an Olympic swimmer from the German team, also shared his excitement ahead of the opening ceremony, also because the next FISU Games will be in his country – Rhine-Ruhr 2025.
“I’m really looking forward to be part of this event. We just arrived yesterday, but it’s an enjoyable experience already,” Henning said.
Despite taking part in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, competing at the FISU Games still marks an ‘important milestone’ for the 26-year-old.
“It’s like a taste of the Olympics here, because with the athletes’ village, it’s pretty much the same setting. We’re all living as one big sport.”
20,000 volunteers were recruited from different Chinese universities and abroad to help with the organization.
Now, everything is ready for the Games to finally start.
“For two weeks, Chengdu will be the capital of university sports,” stated FISU Secretary General Eric Saintrond.
Leonz Eder, FISU Acting President, added: “Chengdu Games 2021 – it’s a reminder of everything we have been through these past few years. The stage is all set for athletes to shine.”
“We hope you are able to get closer to China,” said Xian Rongsheng, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Chengdu FISU Games, who invited everyone to understand and comprehend the culture and enjoy the Games.
Written by FISU Young Reporters
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