President Xi Jinping declaring the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games open proved to be a peak moment at the Opening Ceremony of the multi-sport event held on July 28.
Accompanied by his wife, the country’s First Lady, Liyuan Peng, the President honoured the World University Games with his presence.
It was announced a few days before that he was expected to attend and on Friday the most important personality of the country was enthusiastically received by spectators, to witness the gathering of the world’s future: the youth.
The 40,000-capacity stadium was filled with a roar of applause when the President Xi Jinping stepped in and waved at the public with a gentle smile.
Even without saying any speech, his presence in this event is full of meaning. For its third time organising such an event in China, it’s the first time that FISU is honoured with the presence of the country’s president. A way for him to participate in the promotion of youth wellbeing and friendship, on which lay the future of the world.
THE YOUTH
According to Huai Jinpeng, president of the organizing committee the FISU games in Chengdu has staged a spectacular platform to carry forward sportsmanship and enhance mutual trust among civilisations.
“I sincerely wish all our young friends could challenge your limits, strive for your excellence, strengthen the intercultural ties and friendship, and display the charisma of youth here,” Jinpeng said before adding: “dear athletes, Chengdu Makes Dreams Come True. Let’s join hands to create the glorious and exceptional moments together.”
In the same vein, Leonz Eder, FISU acting president also invited students to be examples by sharing what they have learnt with their families, friends and fellows.
He also reminded them their responsibility toward the next generation in a world full of uncertainty. And to fulfil this responsibility, the FISU acting president said he have no doubt that sport can help.
OPEN ATTITUDE
After 2 years of wait due to Covid crisis, the students’ dream of getting together, finally comes true. In a frantic race of people from different paths, in joy and good spirits, towards a single point of convergence, the World University Games Stadium.
The image displayed on a screen is as virtual as a dream, but it heralds reality: the parade of 6,500 athletes from 113 countries all over the world to take part in this global university sports event.
They were greeted by mascot pandas, dancing volunteers and a jubilant audience. One by one and in alphabetical order, the delegations from the countries represented at these games paraded, some in the pure tradition of their countries, others in their sports tracksuits.
To accompany them, a variety of melodies from Africa, Europe, America, Oceania and Asia, with a strong Chinese accent, symbolising the host country’s attachment to its tradition.
With an open attitude, Chengdu offered the world what it holds most dear, most glorious and most beautiful to see. The host city of the 31st FISU World University Games is living up to its slogan “Chengdu makes dreams come true”.
A MEMORABLE MOMENT
In a stadium fully decked out in festive Chengdu’s bright, cheerful colours and dazzling decor set the scene for a dream show.
Once the honoured guests have settled in, a giant fireworks display lights up the Chengdu sky, announcing to the world what China has in store for its guests, to make this university sports festival a memorable moment.
While the FISU anthem was played, the history of the institution was also recalled, with the display on the stadium floor of logos for all editions of the FISU Summer Games from 1959 to now.
PERFORMANCES FULL OF MESSAGES
Despite the power of the speeches, the show was the highlight of the ceremony. Mixing traditional and modern in their costumes, the show’s masterminds put on a breath-taking show, focusing on 2 themes.
The first one is the pursuit of light. The choreography performed combines gentleness and creativity in perfect rhythm. No movement is too much, everything is synchronized to produce a balanced scheme, clinging to nothing but suspended above a light that ensures its brilliance.
From this, a message pop up: “Time never ends and young dream chasers never stop their exploration of the unknown and pursuit of a bright future.”
The second theme was the celebration of friendship. This sequence is demonstrated by the friendly relationship between man and Panda, forming a dancer’s couple to testify to the harmony in which these 2 species live in this beautiful city of Chengdu.
The panda is also the official mascot of these championships, and is the main attraction for all visitors to the city.
FIRE OF HOPE
The torch relay, which began to announce the event, completed its final leg during the opening ceremony. A fencing of flags from the nations present, as if to protect what should never be extinguished.
A group of model athletes including China’s teenage snowboarding sensation Su Yiming chosen to complete the torch relay together set the cauldron alight. In unison and in a universal language, that of the heart, they lit up the stadium and rekindled the fire of hope in the youth.
“Dreams will come true because we are young, dream will come true because we are the future.”
Credit: AIPS Media
