Wang Jingli

wangjingli0715@163.com

THE flame of the 31st International University Sports Federation (FISU) Summer World University Games reached Shenzhen for the torch relay yesterday. The honor of being the first torchbearer fell upon Su Bingtian, the current Asian record holder in the men’s 100-meter dash.

The flame relay of the Chengdu 2021 FISU Summer World University Games was held at Shenzhen University’s (SZU) Yuehai campus in Nanshan District yesterday morning.

A total of 31 torchbearers, including renowned athletes, professionals from the education and sci-tech sectors, and other notable figures, carried the torch to pass through several key landmarks in SZU.

Shenzhen, which held the 26th Summer Universiade in 2011, became the second city on the Chinese mainland to host the biennial event following Beijing in 2001. Twelve years later, the Universiade’s flame once again ignited the city.

Su expressed his immense pride in being selected as a torchbearer. Back in 2011, Su attended the Shenzhen Universiade as a student. He now stands as a teacher who motivates college athletes to embrace challenges and pursue their dreams.

Another torchbearer, Wang Guanbin, a gold medalist in the mixed 4x100m medley relay at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, is currently studying at SZU. He said that he will carry forward the spirit of the Games as well as Shenzhen to contribute to national rejuvenation.

Following the relay in Shenzhen, the flame will continue its journey, passing through Chongqing and Yibin, and finally reaching Chengdu. The Games will be held from July 28 to Aug. 8 in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China’s Sichuan Province.