Chengdu citizens exercise near Dong'an Lake Sports Park. Photo: VCG

Dong'an Lake Sports Park Aquatics Center Photo: VCG

The Chengdu FISU World University Games will conclude on Tuesday, but the legacy of the Games extends beyond the sporting event to the host city's commitment to sustainable development and the flourishing of a local sports culture. 

The most prominent legacy of the Chengdu FISU Games for this city is the sports venues. The FISU Games were held in a total of 49 venues, 13 of which were newly constructed and the remaining 36 were renovated, embodying the spirit of suitability. 

After the conclusion of the FISU Games, these venues will continue to contribute to Chengdu's sports sector and public fitness initiatives. 

The newly built venues have been integrated into the city's development plan, as several venues are scheduled to host high-profile international competitions, while the renovated venues, mainly located within universities, will be repurposed for the development of sports and physical education programs.

Repurposing the venues 

Cao Xuefeng, deputy director of the Chengdu FISU Games Organizing Committee, emphasized that the issue of repurposing the event venues had been a concern since the inception of the Games. 

"Throughout the preparation process in recent years, we have consistently focused on the balance between the public and commercial aspects of the venues, the relationship between social and economic benefits, and the integration of major sporting events with community fitness," Cao told the Global Times. He highlighted the successful integration of the Games' hosting and public fitness functions, resulting in positive outcomes. The city aims to attract high-level sports events to further utilize these venues. 

Currently, plans are in place for events such as the annual ATP 250 men's tennis tournament, Thomas and Uber Cup badminton championships and the 2025 World Games, a multi-sport tournament that mainly features disciplines that are yet to be included in the Olympic Games. Furthermore, the sports venues will be open to the public with a focus on benefiting the community. According to Cao, in 2022 alone, these venues were open to the public almost all year round, serving over 5.09 million individuals and hosting more than 730 events at various levels.

The city will also strive to host events like the world championships for athletics and artistic gymnastics, increasing its profile as a sporting epicenter and encouraging the growth of a local culture of attending sporting events, Cao said. 

Outside of these scheduled competitions, Chengdu already boasts sports mainstays such as the professional soccer club Chengdu Rongcheng, which has gained immense popularity nationwide thanks to their avid fan base, as well as the Chengdu Marathon becoming the first World Marathon Majors candidate race in China.

FISU Acting President Leonz Eder also noted that he has witnessed how sustainability has become part of the collective mindset of Chinese people as well as the government. 

In an interview with the Global Times, Eder noted that he has made about 25 visits to China since his first trip to the country in 1985. He highlighted China's economic transformation, which he witnessed through his successive involvement in the 2001 Summer Universiade in Beijing, the 2009 Winter Universiade in Harbin, and the 2011 Summer Universiade in Shenzhen.

"I realized that the protection of the environment and sustainability have become the mindset of the government, but also the mindset of the people. I believe it is a big change," Edar said. 

The city plans to employ a market-driven mindset to ensure both accessibility and sustainable utilization of the venues.

Transition from village to campus

The Chengdu FISU Games Village at Chengdu University represents a particularly significant educational legacy bestowed upon the city by the Chengdu FISU Games. 

The athletes' village has served as a vital functional hub to support the FISU Games, providing services such as accommodations, dining, leisure facilities, and commercial amenities to delegations from over 110 countries and regions during the event. The decision to establish the athletes' village at Chengdu University was made after carefully considering factors such as the environment, proximity, and transportation, Cao said. 

After the event, the athletes' village will be completely handed over to the Chengdu University.

Its utilization will not only contribute to the university's educational development but also continue to serve as a platform for international exchanges and interactions among young university students worldwide. 

Serve the local residents 

The momentum generated by the FISU Games will be maintained by Chengdu's local authorities as they aim to satisfy the increasing demand for sports and fitness among its residents. This will be achieved by ensuring that venues are open for a minimum of 330 days per year and at least 35 hours per week. 

The city will also promote the integration of sports and education, especially by involving school sports facilities in promoting fitness for all.

Mao Jiale, a Chengdu-based sports commentator, told the Global Times that the local government's efforts in maintaining the sports momentum underline the importance of sustainability.

"Chengdu's efforts toward the sustainable utilization of its FISU Games legacy underscores its commitment to nurturing a city in which sports and economic growth coexist," Mao said.