Greening the Games: Chengdu Shuangliu’s Venue Prepares for 2021 FISU World University Games

Chongqing - With only a dozen days left until the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games, as the competition zone with the most events, the most gold medals, and the largest number of expected participants, how are Chengdu's Shuangliu venues preparing? What are the highlights? 

On July 14, iChongqing joined the "Love Chengdu, Welcome the FISU World University Games" media group to visit the competition venues in Shuangliu District, Chengdu, and discovered the green "secrets" hidden in the games venues.

Retrofitted venues with a fresh look

Reporters visited various competition venues and warm-up areas and found them all renovated and upgraded from existing structures, some with a 17-year history. After the renovations, they are ready to welcome athletes from around the world with a fresh look.

Out of the 49 venues for the University Games' competitions and training, 13 were newly constructed, while 36 were transformed from existing sports facilities, schools, and training bases to minimize waste. 

Badminton venue - breathable roof, adjustable lighting

Upon entering the badminton venue, we immediately notice the comfortable temperature and pleasant lighting. The venue's secret lies in its roof design. "Badminton competitions have strict wind speed requirements. Multiple rows of small holes are distributed on the airbag diffusers to meet this. This keeps the indoor temperature constant and ensures that the competition ground's wind speed remains below 0.2 meters per second. This reduces air conditioning costs and creates a stable and comfortable environment for athletes. Moreover, the venue's lighting system meets high anti-glare standards, improving athletes' competition experience." the venue staff Yu Jian introduced.

Water polo venue - flowing water

Inside the water polo venue, our focus is on water utilization. The venue has set up a rainwater collection system. This enables the entire roof of the water polo venue to make the most of natural rainwater for landscaping purposes and to replenish the artificial lake within the facility. This eco-friendly approach greatly contributes to the venue's low-carbon efforts, energy conservation, and environmental protection.

What happens after the games end

Since Chengdu began preparing for the 2021 FISU World University Games, the open venues have been actively utilized, serving the citizens extensively, and in 2022 alone, nearly 80,000 hours of free or low-cost access attracted over 5.09 million participants, hosting 727 sports events and promoting widespread fitness culture in Chengdu. 

After the games, Chengdu will continuously update and distribute free sports coupons, organize inclusive mass fitness events combining traditional and trendy sports, and encourage citizens, including people with disabilities, to visit the venues and share in the achievements of the games.