STORY: Chengdu Universiade inspires, connects athletes around the world: African expert
DATELINE: Aug. 2, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:13
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: SPORTS
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of Chengdu Universiade
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): PAUL TUITOEK, Athletics Kenya Universities chairman
3. various of Chengdu Universiade
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PAUL TUITOEK, Athletics Kenya Universities chairman
 
STORYLINE:
 
The 31st FISU World University Games is taking place in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province between July 28 and August 8.
 
Paul Tuitoek, a sports expert from Kenya, said the Chengdu Universiade is an inspiring event during which athletes have been encouraged to solidify their dreams.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): PAUL TUITOEK, Athletics Kenya Universities chairman
"The games has been very inspiring. Even though you lose in a competition, you feel inspired because of the environment which you are in, the crowds in the stadium always cheering and clapping for the athletes, and also the media, which keeps on encouraging the athletes and checking the dreams of the athletes, the challenges. And the athletes come out more expressively by expressing their dreams and support, and most athletes solidify their dreams during such times."
 
Tuitoek said the Universiade is a platform where athletes from around the world connect with and learn from each other through the universal language of sports.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PAUL TUITOEK, Athletics Kenya Universities chairman
"The athletes apart from building their own networks and friendship around the world, the athletes will also be rallied around their performance. From different countries and also from different universities, the athletes gain experiences of other countries, the way people interact, the friendliness, and eventually, sharing together. Competitional sport is mainly a universal language because it is acceptable in all cultures and it is highly valued by all communities.
I believe very strongly that sports promote mutual understanding because even if people are differing in their ideologies, sports still bring them together and unite them in terms of their dreams, their aspirations, and people also learn from the skill of the athletes performing differently."    
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)