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With four months to go before the opening of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games, senior officials of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) praised Chengdu, the host city, for its preparations for the event.
The 31st Summer World University Games will be held in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, from July 28 to Aug 8, making the city the third on the Chinese mainland to host the event after Beijing in 2001 and Shenzhen in 2011.
Leonz Eder, acting president of FISU, said Chengdu has made thorough preparations, and the organizing committee spared no effort in welcoming athletes from all over the world. He made the remarks at an interview during the Heads of Delegation Meeting of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games, which kicked off on March 28 and drew a total of 79 delegations.
"The venues are fantastic, the people I met are so enthusiastic, and the heads of delegations are really looking forward to attending the games," he said.
The Heads of Delegation Meeting informed the delegations of preparatory work, announced policies and procedures, and answered questions. During the four-day event, the delegations inspected the venues and athletes' village and took city tours to experience the host city's cultural charm and unique lifestyle.
Eder said he was impressed by Chengdu's massive size, interesting architecture, and beautiful environment, and he hopes to have more time to explore Chengdu's culture and modern development.
Eric Saintrond, secretary general of FISU, who visited Chengdu in 2019, said it was already a fantastic city with unbelievable venues at the time, and during the past four years, the city has built even more venues and improved their quality.
"I must say that we couldn't hope for more," he said.
Saintrond said the legacy of the Games in Chengdu will be amazing, and he believes the people of Chengdu and China as a whole will be proud of it.
"As an old Chinese saying goes, good things take time. The World University Games in Chengdu will definitely be unique and spectacular," said Zhao Jing, FISU Games Summer Director, who was a volunteer at the World University Games in Beijing in 2001 and a staff member of FISU at the Games in Shenzhen in 2011.
Zhao said Chengdu used to just be a name to her. However, the city has gradually become a team that "breathes the same air and shares the same fate" with her, as she has visited Chengdu as many as ten times and stayed in the city for nearly 300 days since it won the bid to host the World University Games.
"From FISU's point of view, we really appreciate the passion and effort that Chengdu has put in," Zhao said, adding that she is looking forward to the upcoming Games in Chengdu this July.
(China Daily)
