Going for gold

Chengdu sets the stage for the student olympics.

Chengdu is attracting talent from around the world; in 2019 it hosted the inaugural edition of The Monocle Cities Series. And now the world’s strongest young swimmers, fastest runners and biggest slam dunkers are making their way to Sichuan province. Next August, Chengdu will host the 31st FISU Summer World University Games, the largest competition for student athletes. The events will take place at various venues now under construction across Chengdu, including a 40,000-seat stadium in Dong’an Lake Sports Park.

Chengdu has also been putting the creative world through its paces. In April the preparatory committee organising the event invited international designers to come up with the key visuals for the Games. More than 10,000 entries were submitted. Winning designer Zhang Xuejiao’s colourful artwork, which will be used throughout the Games, draws upon Chengdu’s past, present and future, incorporating everything from its rich culture and abundance of nature to the dynamism and drive of the rapidly developing 21st-century city. Zhang’s design also features landmarks such as Wangjiang Pavilion, 339 Tianfu Tower, Danjingtai Forest Park and, of course, the cuddly giant panda.

With this sporting contest racing towards us, Chengdu is sending an invitation to the world.

2021chengdu.com