"Hosting the 24th Universiade Bangkok 2007 is a truly auspicious occasion as Thai people from all walks of life have a chance to celebrate the 80th birthday of the King," Sumate Yamnun, director of the organizing committee, was quoted by Wednesday's Bangkok Post as saying.

"Thai people also take great pride to host one of the world's biggest sporting competitions as if they were the Olympic Games," he said.

The competition, dubbed the Olympics for university athletes, is expected to attract more than 10,000 students-cum-athletes and officials from 122 countries worldwide to strut their stuff in 10 sporting events, vying for 236 gold medals in total. The Games will be held in Bangkok from August 8-18.

Approved by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the 10 disciplines comprise athletics, aquatics (swimming, diving and water polo), basketball, fencing, judo, gymnastics, soccer, tennis, table tennis and volleyball.

The five optional sports (selected by the host country) consist of badminton, golf, shooting and skeet shooting, softball and taekwondo.

Education Minister Wijit Srisaarn said the government had given its full support for the Universiade and encouraged young people to take part in the Games.

"We are experienced in hosting many major international sporting events, and we are well prepared for the University Games not only in terms of competition venues but also the athletes' village, transportation, protocols, the live broadcast, main press center (MPC) and international broadcasting center (IBC).

"We are ready to give a warm welcome to athletes, officials and all visitors from universities around the world to visit Thailand in an atmosphere of cordial camaraderie and friendly smiles," said the minister.

The logo of the 24th Universiade Bangkok 2007 will be in the form of five colored graphic element as the "U" alphabet symbolizing experience transference, the exchange of knowledge and cultures among varsity students from all continents. The Games theme is "All Become One", while rabbit has been chosen as the Games Mascot as the King of Thailand was born in the Year of Rabbit.