President Xi Jinping announced the start of the 31st FISU World University Games at a spectacular opening ceremony in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Friday.

Applause filled the 40,000-seater Dong'an Lake Sports Park Stadium as Xi declared the opening of the first large international sporting event to take place in China since it adjusted its COVID-19 response mechanism late last year.

Apart from medals, student-athletes taking part in the event are also looking forward to bringing home fond memories of China and new friendships, athletes and officials said.

A total of 6,500 student-athletes from 113 countries and regions will compete in 269 events across 18 sports at the Chengdu games, which run until Aug 8. The event is the third summer university games held on the Chinese mainland, following those in Beijing in 2001 and Shenzhen in 2011.

Huai Jinpeng, president of the organizing committee of the Chengdu games and minister of education, extended a warm welcome to young athletes and coaches from all over the world at the opening ceremony.

"Tonight, the world is turning its eyes to China and to Chengdu in particular, to witness university students from across the globe coming together to celebrate this splendid gathering of youth and embark on a journey of self-transcendence," Huai said.

Leonz Eder, acting president of the International University Sports Federation, thanked China, Chengdu, the members of the organizing committee and the volunteers for their contribution to making the grand event happen.

Eder said that "the magic of the FISU World University Games" was the fact that it brought together so many young people from so many different countries and regions.

The atmosphere at the stadium reached a climax when the flame of the Chengdu games at the torch tower outside the stadium was ignited by fireworks set off by 31 torch bearers headed by Senior Colonel Ye Guangfu, one of China's Shenzhou XIII astronauts.

▲ Performers during the opening ceremony of the FISU World University Games in Chengdu July 28, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Eder said in an interview with China Daily on Thursday that the World University Games continue to be highly regarded as a competitive international and multisport event.

Not only does the event enable current elite and emerging athletes to compete against the best in their sport, but it also provides a platform from which many student-athletes launch their international careers, Eder said.

But competition is not everything at the Chengdu games because the event can also help young people from all over the world learn about different cultures and boost understanding, especially about China, he added.

▲ The Chinese delegation arrives at the stadium during the opening ceremony of the FISU World University Games in Chengdu July 28, 2023. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn]

"I'm pretty sure that the majority of the students here have never been to China before. What they have learned about China in the Western media is one thing, but to come here to see Chengdu and feel the hospitality of the people will be something else," Eder said.

He added that besides doing their best, he hopes the student-athletes can take the opportunity to meet other students from all over the world and make new friends, which is as important as competing.

The Chengdu games offer student-athletes great opportunities to meet others from different countries who have the same goal, which combines top-notch sports performance with intellectual pursuits, said Syed Ibadullah Ayaz, a taekwondo athlete from Australia.

"I've watched many opening ceremonies of international sporting events on TV since I was a child. And now I've got to experience it myself. I'm looking forward to all the different cultures that are going to be represented there," Ayaz said ahead of the opening ceremony.

Furthermore, the organization of the Chengdu games and the facilities have impressed many officials and athletes.

Daniel Guerrero, head of the United States delegation, said it was wonderful to see the incredible preparations made by Chengdu, the local organizers and the FISU.

"What we have seen in Chengdu is extraordinary. I hope all the athletes could compete in a friendly environment, and get to know the cultures of different countries," Guerrero said.

Jonathan Larsen, a coach of the German badminton team, expressed his pleasure at being in Chengdu.

"We've been welcomed very warmly, and the arena looks absolutely amazing, so we are looking forward to the Chengdu games," Larsen said.

The Chengdu games were postponed from 2021 to this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The FISU amended the registration rules to ensure that university students did not lose their eligibility due to the postponement. Consequently, student-athletes who met the qualifications in 2021 are still eligible to participate in the Chengdu games.

On the sidelines of the event, the organizers have arranged a series of cultural activities for the participants, such as observing giant pandas and enjoying Sichuan Opera, to highlight the host city's unique features.

Reporter: Cui Jia in Chengdu