Photo courtesy of the department of media and communication of Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games]

In January, the flame of the Chengdu 2021 FISU Games was lit in Turin, Italy, the host of the first Summer Universiade. On Feb. 25, Shen Zhen, vice-chairman of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), officially handed over the flame to the southwestern city of Chengdu, the host of the 31st FISU World University Games which will take place from June 26 to July 7.

On Aug. 31 last year, the torch of the Chengdu 2021 FISU Games, dubbed “Rong Huo,” made its international debut at the Jinsha Site Museum in Chengdu. Meanwhile, the flame lantern and cauldron were introduced to the public at the Chengdu Museum late last year.

Chengdu was confirmed as host of the 2021 Summer Universiade in 2018. In just three years, the city has fully prepared for the grand gathering of university students from around the world.

At the ceremony, representatives of Chengdu citizens and university students passed the Chengdu 2021 flame lantern to the main stage. The flame escorts then took the flame from the lantern which travelled from Turin to light the lantern of the Games, following by the lighting of the torch and cauldron.

[Photo courtesy of the department of media and communication of Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games]

[Photo courtesy of the department of media and communication of Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games]

[Photo courtesy of the department of media and communication of Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games]

Luo Zhihuan, the first torchbearer of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and China’s first world champion in winter sports, sent a video message to the event expressing his wishes for a successful Chengdu 2021 FISU Games.

An exhibition themed around Sichuan province featuring Chengdu 2021 was held at the 2022 Beijing Media Centre during the Beijing Winter Olympics. The exhibition received more than 600 paintings of the Chengdu 2021 torch created by young reporters and university student volunteers.

Xu Liaoyuan, the designer of the torch, lantern and cauldron for Chengdu 2021, presented framed paintings on stage at the ceremony. The works are invested with blessings from the Beijing Winter Olympics to Chengdu 2021, which symbolizes that it is time for the Chengdu 2021 FISU Games to take to the stage.

[Photo courtesy of the department of media and communication of Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games]

The ceremony, which was conducted under COVID-19 protocols, was brought to an end as the escorts retrieved the flame from the cauldron and returned it to its storage site.

In the coming days, more events will be held for the upcoming Chengdu 2021 FISU Games, including the selection of torchbearers as well as an online and offline torch relay.