Military games athletes' village to open in Wuhan on Friday

The athletes' village for the 7th Military World Games in Wuhan, Hubei province, will open on Friday and is expected to welcome nearly 10,000 athletes and delegation officials from more than 100 countries, the village's management committee said on Wednesday.

Construction of the village started in March 2017 and was completed this April. From Oct 15 to Oct 17, it will hold daily welcoming ceremonies for delegations taking part in the games.

With an area of 56.5 hectares, the village is within about 40 minutes' drive of the city's 34 games venues.

It consists of four zones providing residential apartments, public services, logistics and other services including administration, medical treatment and conference and fitness facilities.

About 150 people will work at the village's service center, helping delegations with coordination, information and other services during the games, the center's director, Li Jun, said at a news conference in Wuhan on Wednesday.

"Our responsibility is to provide comprehensive and high-quality service for the guests so that they can arrive smoothly, concentrate on the competition and enjoy themselves while staying in Wuhan," he said.

The Military World Games, organized by the International Military Sports Council, is a competition for military athletes that has been held every four years since 1995.

Wuhan won the bid to host this year's games in 2015. The 10-day event, which will be open to the public, will begin on Oct 18.

According to the organizers, about 10,000 military athletes from over 100 council member states will compete in 27 sports, including triathlon, parachuting and aeronautical and naval pentathlons.