August 12th, the kick-off of the 26th Summer Universiade took place with the traditional Opening Ceremony. A third Universiade for China, after 2001 (Summer) in Beijing and 2009 (Winter) in Harbin. Therefore, the expectations were high as the Chinese are known to be masters in staging big shows. And once again the hosts did not disappoint. A dazzling and colorful show took place in front of 25,000 spectators giving the green light for 12 days of thrilling sport competitions between student-athletes in 24 sports. After a pre-ceremony warm-up of with song and dance, it was time for the real thing. A brilliant flash of light illuminates the huge stage in the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre 'Spring Cocoon', to depict an information highway running through the stadium as a vivid symbol of this Universiade, representing the information age. The national flag of China enters in a sea of flowers and is followed by a marching band of university students. The crowd raises when the flag is hoisted while China's national anthem is played. 1,000 beautiful girls holding flowers flow into a remote mist and gather a piece of a radiant stars river. On the 'Gate of the World', which is 26m high and 125m wide, performers harmoniously move back boards on the giant screen. Numerous drums salute the great era of reform and opening-up; the Chinese calculator, reminds the spectators of the glories of ancient Chinese civilization.   Then the giant screens shows a countdown and when this comes to an end, a giant representing the spirit of the Opening-up and Reform Era opens the 'Gate of the World' for the delegations to enter. Led by beautiful Chinese girls, the athletes walk along 'Youth Avenue'. At the rostrum, they separate in two different directions and get seated in their designated sections. The three high ranking officials of the Universiade, Mr. Wang Rong, Vice-President of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Yuan Guiren, President of the OC and Mr. Killian, outgoing FISU President deliver their speech from the middle of the arena while surrounded by bright colors. At the end of his speech, Mr. Killian invites the President of China, Mr. Hu Jingtao to declare the Universiade open. The flying colorful silk and petals, the fireworks on the big screen -- environment friendly - and a meteor shower marks the prelude of a carnival. Using the universal language of music and dance, university students take us to a passionate and energetic world. Then the FISU flag finally arrives in the stadium. It is hoisted while the FISU anthem, the 'Gaudeamus Igitur' is played and everybody stands. The flag hoisting is followed by the oaths by the representatives of the athletes and referees. More music is played and everybody is in awe when a violin player is lifted up high in the sky from the main rostrum. Acrobats appear on the stage giving a marvelous performance. Emerged in university campus atmosphere, piled-up books, colorful gene-links and models with knowledge-symbolized fashion clothes display a picture of 'Book Mountain and Knowledge Sea'. The performers wearing baccalaureate gowns on the 'Gate of the World' remind people of their memory of anticipation to campus life.   The bicycle riders appear on the stage depicting the green road, stretching more than 2,000 miles in Shenzhen and Guangdong. And then the torch with the flame arrives. Five different torch bearers run a final lap around the stage. The last torch bearer is joined by four others, while all five of them represent the 5 continents, symbolizing unity. The five run through the 'Gate of the World' up to the five FISU stars and as they lit the stars, highway of fire finally lights the big cauldron with the Universiade flame. Let the Games begin!   It was a great honor for FISU to have the President of China open the Universiade. Besides Mr. Hu Jingtao, seven other heads of state were present at the Opening Ceremony, i.e. the Prime Minister o fHungary, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, the President of Sri Lanka, the President of Fiji, the President of Bolivia, the President of Mozambique and the President of Tatarstan. They all met briefly with outgoing President George Killian.

• published: 05 May 2012
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