Universiade Village swings open for business

SHENZHEN, August 7, 2011 - With only five days left until the official start of Universiade 2011, the Athletes' Village was officially opened yesterday evening in a ceremony that included FISU President George E. Killian, Shenzhen Mayor Xu Qin, and several other government and organisation executives

Press and officials gathered in Shenzhen's southern Longgang District for the ceremony, which began with the Universiade theme song, "Start Here", performed by members of the Shenzhen Senior High Choir. Following were welcome speeches by Shenzhen Mayor Xu Qin; FUSC President, FISU Vice-President and Vice-President of the Shenzhen Organizing Committee Zhang Xinsheng; Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province Lin Musheng, and FISU President George E. Killian.

In his speech, Mr. Killian declared the opening of the Village a "special moment" that opened the doors of the Games, and emphasised the significance of the Village as a place for participants of different cultures to make friends and share experiences.

In addition, Mr. Killian noted the importance of a well-organised Village: "The conditions of stay of the participants have always had a direct impact on the results and atmosphere created during the Games, as they spend more time in the Village than any other place."

Following the speeches, Mr. Killian exchanged gifts with Village Mayor Wang Suiming. Wang Rong, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, then declared the Athletes' Village officially open.

Village Mayor Wang Suiming then gave a welcome speech to the Chinese delegation, the first guests in the Village, and exchanged gifts with Chinese delegation head Hao Ping.

The Athletes' Village is expected to accommodate between 12,000 and 13,000 athletes and officials during Universiade. After the Games, the Village will become part of the campus of the Shenzhen Institute of Information and Technology.

(Source: AIPS)