In the middle of summer, the 31st FISU World University Games is underway. 6500 
young athletes from 113 countries and regions gathered in Chengdu. They are 
showing the brilliance and elegance of contemporary college students to the 
world, according to Executive Committee of the 31st FISU World University Games.

At the beginning of the night, the cultural market in Chengdu Universiade 
Village is colorful with Pitch Pot, Cuju, weaving... College athletes from all 
over the world interact with each other with great interest, exchanging badges, 
and sharing happiness.

"The ball is so light. It's so fun." Isa, a 25-year-old Libyan athlete, 
experienced Cuju and quickly mastered the technique. The 60kg judo player, 
lightly shot the bamboo ball into the net hole, warmly greeted the passing 
Italian and Chinese athletes to experience Cuju with him. Young people from 
foreign countries who did not know each other soon got together and had a lot 
of fun.

Since the opening of the Universiade in Chengdu, the village has been filled 
with university athletes of different colors, nationalities and languages. 
During the Universiade, they met and knew each other. Chengdu makes the dreams 
come true. Chengdu will become a gathering of global youth to sports and dreams.

Leonz Eder, acting president of FISU, thanked China for its simple, safe and 
wonderful concept of hosting the games, earnestly fulfilling its solemn 
commitments and ensuring the smooth hosting of the Universiade in Chengdu. 
"After experiencing a long epidemic where we could only meet online, we once 
again came to the Universiade Village to live together for 10 to 12 days. It 
was great to have delegations from 113 countries and territories reunite and 
use the opportunity after the games to network with each other." In Eder's 
eyes, this is the charm of the Universiade.

Thanks to the joint efforts of China, the International University Sports 
Federation and delegations from various countries and regions, the Chengdu 
Universiade has become an international sports event with Chinese 
characteristics, the spirit of the times and the style of youth. At the 
Universiade, Chinese cultural symbols such as the Sunbird and the panda deeply 
attracted young athletes from all over the world.

Italian torchbearer Su Yunzhe lit the Sunbird torch plate at the opening 
ceremony of the Universiade. He proudly said that the Sunbird demonstrates the 
Chinese people's spiritual character of harmony, tolerance and pursuit of light 
since ancient times, and is a symbol of strength, hope and good luck. "I 
believe that the meaning of the torchbearer is not just passing the torch, but 
more of a spiritual transmission as well as transmission of solidarity, 
friendship and cultural exchanges."

During the Games, cultural exchanges off the field take place every day. In the 
Tianfu Art Park, the "2023 Chengdu Biennial Exhibition" exhibits 476 works by 
235 artists from 22 countries and regions, attracting a large number of Chinese 
and foreign audiences.
        
"Equality and inclusiveness will ensure a colorful world. Together, we will 
create a better future." Nepalese player Nyachon Kushal said that although she 
lost the table tennis match, she met the giant panda loved by people all over 
the world in Chengdu. Many foreign athletes also shared the joy of seeing 
pandas in the Chengdu, hometown of giant pandas.

Civilizations are enriched by exchanges and cultures are enriched by mutual 
learning. College students of different colors, nationalities and languages 
meet in Chengdu to view harmony and diversity from the perspective of equality, 
inclusiveness and fraternity, to appreciate and learn from different cultures, 
and to promote world peace and development with their youthful vitality.

Source: Executive Committee of the 31st FISU World University Games