While the nation eagerly awaits the coming 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Shenzhen, a young and energetic southern city bordering Hong Kong, is also making preparations for an international sporting event - the 2011 Universiade, whose name combines the words "University" and "Olympiad".

It won the bid last year to host the 26th Summer Universiade over cities in Russia, Taiwan of China, Spain and Poland. It was the first time Shenzhen bid for an international sports event.

"It is a young city with a history of only 26 years. It is a miracle to witness what Shenzhen has achieved," said Vice-Mayor Yan Xiaopei in her bidding speech early last year.

"I am sure we can offer the best services, marketing ideas and complete facilities for the 2011 Universiade," she said.

Mayor Xu Zongheng solicited support from the International University Sports Federation (FISU) by citing the city's strengths.

"Shenzhen is an international city. As the first special economic zone in China, Shenzhen has embraced the world for over 26 years since opening to the world in 1980," he said.

"It is a young city whose residents' average age is only 26. There are now more than 800,000 university students living in Shenzhen and its surrounding areas, including Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

"It is also is a dynamic city. Come to Shenzhen and you can see nearly 20 million of containers handled at its ports every year, find thousands of sports and cultural facilities, and feel the sincere smile on the faces of over 8 million residents."

To stage the 26th Universiade, Shenzhen will invest at least $640 million to build 76 sports facilities, including 35 stadiums and 41 training venues, according to the latest figures from the event's executive board.

Construction will include renovation of 47 existing facilities and construction of 29 new buildings.

Universiade City, designed to be an urban multi-functional complex integrating sports, culture, commerce and tourism, will cover 13.7 sq km in Longgang district upon completion.

The complex 15 km from downtown will be connected to the city center by four expressways and a light rail line.

At the center of Universiade City will be Universiade Park composed of a main stadium, gymnasium and swimming center showcasing state-of-the-art architectural designs.

At an estimated investment of $625 million and covering 1.2 sq km, the main stadium will accommodate 60,000 people at the opening and closing ceremonies and track and field competitions.

The main gymnasium with a capacity of 18,000 spectators will host basketball and volleyball games.

Construction on Universiade City started last August after an international call for the architectural designs and is scheduled for completion and use by the end of 2010. Construction on other venues also began in the second half of last year.

Efficient accommodation

In addition to new sports facilities, the city is fully capable of accommodating Universiade participants, said Yan.

Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and five other neighboring cities are only an hour's drive from Shenzhen. The area has China's largest cluster of international airports - five that offer 100 international routes and 600 international flights every day, she said.

The city is also continuing to improve its subway network, which will stretch to 150 km by 2010 and serve the sports venues.

"For the Universiade, we will provide convenient transport services by designating 'green channels' and specially dedicated shuttle buses," Yan said.

To house athletes and fans, Shenzhen has 250 star-rated hotels that will rise markedly in number to 1,000 by 2011.

Improved environment

About 43.2 percent of the tropical southern city is covered by greenery. The city government plans to invest $12.2 billion in 20 major environmental projects before 2010 to further improve the ecology.

"We can expect a cleaner and more comfortable environment for the athletes in 2011," Yan said.

The city is also organizing a large number of volunteers who will help smooth operation of sporting events. It already has more than 530,000 signed up.

"We will set up a command center of volunteers. Chinese and foreign student volunteers will work together to provide friendly and effective services," she noted.

"Shenzhen residents, from children to the elderly, have all expressed their warm support to the city's bid for the Universiade. They are doing everything possible to turn the dream into reality," Yan said.

"We will turn the 2011 Shenzhen Universiade into a students' festival featuring fair competition and friendship. You will see the largest-ever Universiade in the history of university sports held in Shenzhen," she said.

Happy U

The 2011 Shenzhen Universiade unveiled its official logo - Happy U - in January, chosen from more than 2,000 entries from around the world.

It has three elements- colored dots in the shape of a semicircle at the top, the words "Universiade Shenzhen 2011" in the middle and five stars at the bottom from the logo of the FISU.

The dots together form the letter "U," which symbolizes the open, friendly and tolerant spirit of the Universiade. Organizers say the logo has six themes: Happy U, Open U, Tolerant U, Young U, International U and Future U.

In January the executive board of the Shenzhen Universiade solicited mascot designs from institutions and individuals around the world. The deadline for submissions is May 20.

(China Daily 05/08/2008 page7)