“Boundless Sports, Countless Wonders”, that is the slogan for The World Games 2025, reflecting Chengdu’s unique blend of tradition and modernity, the city’s relaxed lifestyle and vibrant sports culture.
The opening ceremony held last night showcased this message on a whole new level last night at the Tianfu International Conference Center with a jaw-dropping display of dance, music and fireworks combined with the entry of 3928 athletes, speeches and first ever cauldron lighting ceremony.
Following the entry of top guests such as Ms. Shen Yiqin, State Councilor of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Gao Zhidan, the Minister of Sport of the People's Republic of China and Chairman of the Chengdu 2025 Organizing Committee and IWGA president José Perurena, a dynamic gala performance by hundreds of dancers who wore colour changing gloves and shoes to create a mosaic of remarkable colours commenced the evening.
That was before the first bundle of fireworks with some producing smoke the same complexions as the Chengdu logo - yellow, red and green.
Shortly afterwards, the 114 countries walked through the Center – a new record for country participants – with China the host nation and largest contingent at The World Games (321 athletes) unsurprisingly getting the largest ovation at the end. There was even a little performance amongst the jubilation by some of their DanceSport stars.
International Olympic Committee Kirsty Coventry began the speeches in a remote recording, hailing the “legendary Chinese efficiency,” for its part in the organisation of Chengdu.
The speeches by the present Mr. Gao and Mr. Perurena were then read out with the latter doing it for one last time, deeply thanking China’s hospitality, volunteers and the entire workforce behind the IWGA that help bring epic events like these together.
Chengdu will be Perurena’s final Games as the overseeing president having been in the position for 11 years and called the city “the center of world sport.”
“Tonight, I speak to you not only as a leader, but as someone who has lived and loved this journey alongside you,” said Perurena. “This will be my final edition of The World Games as President. I cannot imagine a better farewell than to be here in Chengdu, at the center of world sport.”
- Chen Ichin declared the opening for The World Games with athlete, coaches, umpires and officials oaths then read out by Chinese Wushu athlete Li Zhiqin, USA roller sports coach Anthony Violante, Tug of War umpire Angelika Eiermann and International Orienteering Federation secretary general Sondre Gullord.
To end the spectacular evening, another gala performance was performed by a large group of women dancers, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, touched with a hint of modernism. Their pale skirts glowed with a fluorescent blue colour – again symbolising Chengdu’s coexisting ethos of modern and traditionalistic values.
They danced to the competition’s theme song “Voice of Amity” sung by a children’s choir. Two members of China’s official waterski team then had the honour of lighting the cauldron in a flamboyant display. Located in the middle of the nearby Qinhuang Lake, they lit the cauldron on waterskiis, an impressive end to The World Games’ first ever torch.
The pre-hype for Chengdu is over, the athletes’ time is now.