Shirley Shi, G9 施沐岚

I was born and raised in Shenzhen, a child of this vibrant, ever-evolving land. I’ve had a front-row seat to its remarkable transformation — from a fledgling city into a sophisticated metropolis, from a border town into a powerhouse of international stature. My own growth has mirrored the city’s meteoric rise, a parallel journey that has always filled me with immense pride.

To me, the Universiade Center is the perfect symbol of Shenzhen’s relentless progress and innovative spirit. Located in Longgang, this iconic complex —comprising a stadium, an indoor gymnasium, and a swimming pool — sprawls over 300,000 square meters like three gleaming pearls on the city’s map. With a smart design, the main stadium resembles a polished crystal, shining with crystalline clarity. When sunlight strikes its facets, it seems to reflect the dazzling diversity and openness of Shenzhen itself. The gymnasium curves skyward like a bird in flight, embodying the city’s soaring energy and boundless potential.

But the Universiade Center is more than a venue for competitions; it’s a stage for the daily life of Shenzhen residents.

It once hosted grand events like the Summer Universiade in 2011, bearing witness to athletes from around the world chasing their dreams. Today, it belongs to the citizens. Morning runners, families on weekend outings, and crowds flocking to concerts — they all fill this space with a contagious vitality. It carries not just the spirit of sport, but also connects Shenzhen’s past, present, and future. Just like my generation, we “Shenzhen kids” have grown up nurtured by the city’s dynamism. We carry the memory of its roots while confidently embracing the promise of tomorrow.

Shenzhen has given me the ground on which to grow, and the Universiade Center has shown me the shape of my dreams. My greatest pride is having grown up side-by-side with this extraordinary city.