The Shuangliu Sports Center, nestled in Chengdu, in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, is gearing up to host a series of athletic and badminton competitions in the much-anticipated FISU World University Games, also known as the Universiade.
Constructed initially in 2008, the sports center has undergone extensive renovations in 2021 to prepare for the forthcoming Universiade. Nestled in the heart of the Shuangliu district, the sports center is an amalgamation of a sprawling stadium and a well-equipped gymnasium.
The stadium, a sprawling facility spanning a floor area of 22,869 square meters, features two fields, one dedicated to competitions and the other designed for warm-ups. It also boasts a standard 400-meter track with ten straights and nine turns, providing athletes with an ideal ground for training and competitions. On the east side of the stadium, athletes can utilize a six-straight, six-turn warm-up field. Additionally, the throwing events’ warm-up field is conveniently located a mere 1.5 kilometers away at Tanghu Middle School.
The athletics events at the Chengdu Games will be held from August 1 to 6 at the Shuangliu Sports Center Stadium. The stadium will see the highest number of gold medals – a total of 50 – being awarded during the Games, making it the venue hosting the largest number of athletes.
Liu Yunjia, the media and broadcasting deputy manager for the stadium, expressed her excitement and motivation despite the pressure, saying, “Yes, we feel plenty of pressure as we prepare, but we are also motivated by this pressure.”
Shifting focus to the gymnasium within the sports center, it is all set to host the badminton competitions. Spanning a floor area of 14,626 square meters, it features two fields of play accommodating a total of 14 badminton courts. From July 30 to August 7, the gymnasium will host the badminton events, with six gold medals up for grabs.
Sports Affairs Manager Qin Hao revealed plans to set up outdoor courts during the Games, enabling spectators to enjoy playing badminton. It’s noteworthy that the venue has seen the likes of Chinese badminton legends Lin Dan and Chen Long grace its courts, added Operation Manager Liu Zhiyong.
Liu shared that about 220 badminton players from approximately 30 countries and regions are expected to compete in the Games, signifying the grandeur and international appeal of the event. With preparations in full swing, Liu described the current phase as “we’ve entered wartime now,” expressing readiness to welcome the world to the upcoming Games.
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