The opening ceremony of the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province. [Photo/IC]

On the evening of Aug 8, a gathering of young people from all over the world took place at the Open Air Music Park in Chengdu, the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, as the 31st FISU World University Games came to an end.

Since July 27, more than 6,500 university athletes from 113 countries and regions have competed in 269 events across 18 major sports, while also exchanging cultural experiences off the field and forming lifelong friendships. As Leonz Eder, the acting president of the International University Sports Federation, said in his speech at the closing ceremony, this was the most exciting year in the history of the Universiade.

As the flame of the Universiade was passed on to the 2025 host city, the Rhine-Ruhr region in Germany, the 10-day event came to a close.

The sports enthusiasm ignited by the Chengdu Universiade this summer will not dissipate. The Asian Games are drawing closer in Hangzhou, the capital of East China's Zhejiang province.

Chen Danni, a girl from Shaoxing in Zhejiang who is studying journalism and communication at Shanghai University, was responsible for managing and scheduling volunteers at the Athletes' Village during the Universiade.

Now that her work is coming to an end, Chen has new ambitions. "I must witness my hometown's sports event with my own eyes and contribute in my own way."

A bird's-eye view of Hangzhou, the host city of the upcoming 19th Asian Games. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]