The 12th World Games opened in Chengdu, China, under the theme “Boundless Sports, Countless Wonders,” featuring 6,679 athletes and officials from 116 countries. As the premier international competition for non-Olympic sports, the event includes 34 major events and 256 minor events, with China participating for the first time in 12 new sports like floorball and powerboating.
The Games not only showcase traditional sports such as karate and archery but also modern ones like drone racing and parkour. Notably, several sports scheduled for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, like sport climbing and flag football, are featured. Traditional Chinese sports like dragon boat racing and Wushu are also official competition events, highlighting a blend of heritage and innovation.
The event promotes cultural exchange through interactive activities showcasing Chinese arts, along with tourism initiatives linking Sichuan’s famous scenic spots. President Xi Jinping emphasizes sports as a bridge for international friendship, cultural exchange, and solidarity, reflecting China’s goal of fostering peace and mutual understanding through global sports events.
Since 2022, China has hosted several major international sports competitions, strengthening cross-cultural ties and people-to-people exchanges, particularly with Belt and Road and ASEAN countries. Xi advocates using sports to build solidarity and positive global cooperation to address shared challenges.
Credit: CGTN