STORY: From Beijing to Shenzhen to Chengdu, Universiade shows a changing China
DATELINE: Aug. 5, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:36
LOCATION: CHENGDU, China
CATEGORY: SPORTS
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of the 31st FISU World University Games being held in China's Chengdu
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): LEONZ EDER, FISU Acting President
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): INES LENZE, Vice head of the German delegation
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SOPHIA PRESTON MCAFEE, American athlete
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): NASRULLAH RANA, Director of Pakistan Sports Board
6. various of the 31st FISU World University Games being held in China's Chengdu
 
STORYLINE:
 
China has once again demonstrated its openness and hospitality to the world with the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu.
 
The international multi-sport event, which is being held in Chengdu, the capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province, highlights unique Chinese characteristics, state-of-the-art infrastructure and top-notch services.
 
This year's Universiade, featuring 18 sports and 269 events, has seen the participation of 6,500 athletes from 113 countries and regions.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): LEONZ EDER, FISU Acting President
"I have been visiting China so many times, and China always hosts our events with great passion, with great success. And that's why we are always more than happy to return to any Chinese city to host our games."
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): INES LENZE, Vice head of the German delegation
"We are so happy that we can come to China and enjoy the very well-organized games.
The village is gorgeous. We love it here so far really."
 
SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SOPHIA PRESTON MCAFEE, American athlete
"Being in China is actually so amazing. It's just unlike any other international competition I've been to.
It (Chengdu) is so lush, so green, really gorgeous. And everyone is so nice. They always come up to us and say, hi, love it."
 
SOUNDBITE 4 (English): NASRULLAH RANA, Director of Pakistan Sports Board
"They (China) gave a lot of good ideas to the world for great unity. We are united in sports. Chengdu makes dreams come true. When you go there, you have a dream to win, you have a dream to participate, see new friends among the world."
 
Chengdu is the third city in the Chinese mainland to host the biennial Summer Universiade, following Beijing in 2001 and Shenzhen in 2011.
 
The 2001 Summer Universiade was a prelude to Beijing's journey to host both Summer and Winter Olympics, while the 2011 Universiade played a role in Shenzhen's rise as a destination for international sports events.
 
The Chengdu Universiade also marked the first time a city in western China hosts a major international sporting event, a testament to the country's development as a whole.
   
To prepare for the event, Chengdu built 13 new venues and renovated 36 existing ones.
 
During the Games, there are 1,000 volunteer service spots around the venues, park greenways, transportation hubs, and commercial areas to offer comprehensive service.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Chengdu, China.
(XHTV)