2011 Summer Universiade Update: Shenzhen Reveals Games Mascot
November 28th, 2008
UU, a cute smiling face transformed from the Universiade logo Happy U, has been chosen as the mascot for the 2011 Universiade to be held in Shenzhen. The mascot was unveiled at a ceremony late Saturday evening of November 22nd at Shenzhen Polytechnic to mark the launch of the city's second Universiade Cultural Festival. It symbolizes the open, friendly and tolerant spirits of the Universiade. The unveiling came just one week after the 1,000-day countdown to the Universiade, which was started on November 15th at the Civic Center. The international evening party was attended by government officials including Mr. ZHANG Xinsheng, Vice-Minister of Education of China and Vice-President of FISU, Mr. LIU Yupu, Vice-Secretary Guangdong Provincial Committee of the CPC and Secretary Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPC etc.; a delegation of consulate-general in Guangzhou headed by Mr. ANG Chay Chuan, Consul-General Singaporean and more than 4,000 university students from all over the country. Guo Jingjing and Zhongman, the 29th Olympic gold medalists, as well as some big stars from Hong Kong, Korea and Chinese Mainland, also gave a wonderful performance to the audience.
"The vibrant and energetic mascot is a cultural symbol of Shenzhen Universiade, and the image embodies the city's spiritual characters, such as openness, tolerance, youth and fashion." Secretary Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPC Liu Yupu said at the ceremony. Liu also hoped UU will bring enthusiasm and happiness to university students around the world. The Universiade Organizing Committee began to solicit Universiade mascot designs from January this year and had received 2007 designs from home and abroad by May 20th. 30 designs were from the United Kingdom, France, Japan and Australia. More than 70 percent of the participants were university students. The oldest contestant was 70 and the youngest only 9. The final 10 Universiade mascot candidates were announced in August after a six-month public vote. The mascot UU was created by a team of three graphic designers and two animators at an average age of 30. A group of professional national designers highly praised the mascot, which was designed by a Shenzhen-based team of designers who believed UU had broken traditional design trends showing a connection with the FISU logo. During the cultural festival, a series of cultural activities including the campaign "Shenzhen Citizens Learning English" and various theme exhibitions will be held.
