STORY: Foreign sports figures hail China for presenting Chengdu Universiade
DATELINE: July 29, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:46
LOCATION: CHENGDU, China
CATEGORY: SPORTS
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Chengdu Universiade
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): SEVVAL ILAYDA TARHAN, Turkish shooter
3. various of the Chengdu Universiade
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): MEHMET GUNAY, President of the Turkish University Sports Federation
5. various of the Chengdu Universiade
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): SAMET AK, Turkish archer
7. various of the Chengdu Universiade
8. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): PAUL TUITOEK, Athletics Kenya Universities chairman
 
STORYLINE:
 
Sports figures from Türkiye and Kenya have praised China for presenting a well-organized and friendly Chengdu Universiade to the world.
 
The 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games officially opened on Friday evening in Chengdu, the capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.
 
Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, a Turkish shooter said that she was really amazed and touched by the opening ceremony at Dong'an Lake Sports Park Stadium.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): SEVVAL ILAYDA TARHAN, Turkish shooter
"It was really a very big and very well-organized opening ceremony. The program perfectly revealed respect for people and sports. It was really beautiful. We all loved it. We all admired it."
 
According to Mehmet Gunay, the president of the Turkish University Sports Federation, the opening ceremony was exceptionally well prepared.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): MEHMET GUNAY, President of the Turkish University Sports Federation
"We have seen both its (China's)ancient cultures and its reflections and visions for the future. Both modern arts and, at the same time, traditional lines were utilized. These were highly pleasing. We watched it with pleasure and appreciated it."
 
Turkish archer Samet Ak said that he was grateful for the friendly atmosphere in Chengdu.
 
SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): SAMET AK, Turkish archer
"They gave us some lovely presents in the room, representing this place. Chinese people are very respectful. They are very friendly, very hospitable. They try to help even with the slightest question. They are in constant communication with us. They are constantly helping us everywhere."
 
Paul Tuitoek, a sports expert from Kenya said that the opening ceremony was well-organized and from which Kenya and other countries can learn a lot.
 
SOUNDBITE 4 (English): PAUL TUITOEK, Athletics Kenya Universities chairman
"I think this one is a very colorful one and well organized, and really in its own level in terms of technology, in terms of the participants, and in terms of the environment. I believe this is really in a class of its own, very impressive. And we can learn a lot from Chengdu Universiade at the Games opening ceremony, and other countries can also learn from Chengdu local organizing committee."
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Chengdu, China.
(XHTV)