Entering a New Era
‘Chinese people have an organizing committee to put on a very, very professional and well-organized Universiade. Everything you have done has been positive.' Those were the exact words of FISU President George E. Killian at his final press conference during the 21st Summer Universiade, which was held in Beijing, China from August 22nd to September 1st., 2001.
Unforgettable Experience
The 21st Summer Universiade was indeed an unforgettable experience for all the participants. It was the Universiade of the superlatives: biggest number of participants (6,757), of participating countries (165), of volunteers (more than 40,000), of records broken (more than 20) etc. Since it was the first time in history that China hosted a multi-sports event of this magnitude it seemed the Chinese, in casu the people of Beijing, wanted to show the world what they were capable of, especially with their successful bid to stage the Summer Olympics in 2008 in mind. And they did. They put together an incredible show during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, built a top notch Athletes' Village, modernized more than fifty venues and constructed seven new.
Breathtaking Opening Ceremony
On August 22nd, at eight o'clock sharp the guards of honor of the Opening Ceremony appeared in the Workers Stadium. Heading them were eight students who carried the Universiade flag. They were followed by the ‘Campus Angels' dressed in white. They released nearly 10,000 pigeons, a symbol of peace. The Angels were followed by a group of child drummers. Then the delegations of all participating countries entered the stadium under the loud cheering of the spectators and marched along the track to the centerfield of the football pitch. It took more than an hour and a half for all delegations to enter! A protocol guide headed each delegation. These protocol guides were dressed in the traditional clothing of China's 56 ethnic minorities. The guides were selected from more than 4,000 female students from 300 universities. The protocol guides carried signs with the names of the participating countries in both English and Chinese. Each sign featured a bird that is representative of the country. To ensure that no mistakes where made in the selection of the birds, various renowned Chinese ornithologists were consulted.
As Chinese President Jiang Zemin ascended the rostrum to declare open the 21st Universiade, a long-standing ovation rocked the 60,000-seat stadium. After China's President Jiang Zemin and FISU President George E. Killian officially opened the Universiade, the FISU flag was brought into the stadium and raised while the FISU anthem, the ‘Gaudeamus Igitur' was played.
Ahs and Ohs
Then the torch that would light the Main Torch entered the stadium after travelling around China's 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions as well as the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao. Eight runners who relayed it through the stadium carried the torch. All of them well known sports personalities, future stars and honor winning athletes at the Olympics, Paralympics, World championships and previous Universiades. Lots of ahs and ohs where heard after Olympic Gold medallist and diving champion Tian Liang lit the fuse. A rocket soared high into the night before plunging into a cauldron towering above the stands to light the main Torch.
That's Entertainment!
After the oaths of the representatives of the athletes, judges and referees, the show began and what a show! Speechless… Or if one tries to use words after all to describe the Opening Ceremony of the 21st Summer Universiade, only superlatives pop into one's mind. It was a stunning, breathtaking, overwhelming and awesome spectacle.
The people of Beijing had put together a show which the participants and spectators will remember for the rest of their lives. First the spectators were treated to a performance of an 800-strong student marching band with members from four different countries. Then the official program started by taking the spectators on a voyage through time. Suddenly, at the main stage waves of a 100-m wide Yellow River are pouring down from the sky.
Dozens of massive yellow silk ribbons flowing down from the spectators' stands converge to the center of the pitch, rolling wave upon wave. From among the waves suddenly appears a silvery sundial float, with the Goddess of Time on top. The massive yellow ribbons in the square split into different bends and turns and from the rolling waves ten golden dragons appear: the birth of a nation. As the giant dragons fly away, a massive array of terracotta warriors of the Qing Dynasty immerse. The gray clay figures turn into glistening warriors and rise into a dance. When the soldiers disappear, flying angels appear on stage performing dances as well. After the angels the China boat sails in, carrying the wisdom and friendship of the Chinese nation.
The second part of the show symbolized a brand new Beijing. Dozens of transparent balls of different shapes and sizes roll into the centerfield being traced by laser beams creating the impression of the rapid shuttling of time. Cheerful Beijingers enter the scene. Then suddenly white snowflakes fall from the sky and engage in a beautiful ice and snow dance. All of a sudden the world of ice turns into a sea of green. A fresh breeze is blowing through the grass. Then the girls in green dresses turn into colorful flowerbeds forming the FISU logo. Fireworks ignite; the Hello 21 show of the 21st Universiade has a fantastic grand finale. More than 11,000 people were involved in this breathtaking performance!
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Speeches
After all the delegations had entered the stadium Liu Qi, Mayor of Beijing and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 21st Universiade expressed his warmest welcome to the members of the FISU Executive Committee, to the participants of the different countries, to the members of the International Olympic Committee and to all the guests present. He praised the Universiade for its role in promoting sports at the university level, and for furthering mutual understanding between young people from around the world. ‘The 21st Universiade not only marks the very first international sports meet in the new century, but also the first international sports celebration since Beijing's successful bid for hosting the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in 2008', the Mayor said. He pledged to make the games the best ever staged in the FISU history.
After the Mayor FISU President George E. Killian delivered his opening speech. ‘It is with great honor and pleasure that I take this opportunity to welcome you and the more than 6,000 athletes, coaches, and administrators from the 165 countries that have gathered here tonight in this wonderful city of Beijing, China for the opening of the largest Summer Universiade in the History of FISU. I first came to Beijing some four years ago at the request of our late President, Dr. Primo Nebiolo, to explore the possibility with the local governmental authorities of hosting a Summer Universiade. Following our initial visit, it wasn't long after that that the city of Beijing notified us of its desire to host the 2001 Universiade. The rest is history. Beginning tomorrow the world will be able to see the fruits of their labor. New venues have been constructed, old venues have been refurbished, and an Athletes' Village, without a doubt one of the finest ever constructed for a worldwide multi-sporting event. I would like to thank the Mayor of Beijing, Mr. Liu Qi, and his entire Organizing Committee for the efforts that they have made during these past years. It has been a joy to have had the pleasure of working with them during these past years. It has been a joy to have had the pleasure of working with them as they prepared for tonight's opening of Universiade 2001. In addition, I would like to thank the citizens of China and the City of Beijing for believing in the value of University Sport. My best to each and everyone who has traveled from far and near to compete here in Summer Universiade 2001. I wish you all much success during the next ten days. Now I have the pleasure and honor to invite Mr. Jiang Zemin to officially declare open the 2001 Summer Universiade in Beijing.'
Closing Ceremony
Unlike the Opening Ceremony, this time the athletes marched in all together, symbolizing unity among the different races of the world. And once again, it was a celebration…
At the Closing Ceremony of the 21st Summer Universiade FISU President George E. Killian made the following speech: ‘On the evening of August 22 we witnessed one of the most spectacular Opening Ceremonies in the history of FISU.
The ceremony seen by millions of university students throughout the world was the beginning of ten exciting days of competition in twelve sports. The athletes performing in all their glory provided FISU with a window of opportunity as it prepares itself for the years ahead. As we ring down the curtain of Universiade 2001, I would like to thank, in the name of FISU, all of the athletes, coaches, and administrators who were the stars of this Universiade for your untiring efforts in making Universiade 2001 the best in our history. I would like to thank Mr. Li Langqing, Vice Prime-Minister, for agreeing to accept Universiade 2001, to Mr. Jia Qinglin, Honorary President of the Organizing Committee, for your leadership, to Mayor Liu Qi for your constant support and leadership, and to Vice-Mayor Mr. Liu Jingmin, with whom we have worked almost on a daily basis, for his leadership and friendship during this exciting period. In closing, let me say thank you to the forty six thousand volunteers and the citizens of Beijing and China for your support. Without it, we could not have produced the largest and most successful Universiade of all time. Now I have the honor to declare the 2001 Universiade of Beijing officially closed.'
Then, as a soul-stirring voice was booming out of the loudspeakers to an ancient tune of a Guzheng instrument the Universiade flag was lowered and handed over to Daegu, the host city of the 2003 Summer Universiade. The flame that has been burning for ten days over the Workers Stadium in the heart of Beijing slowly extinguished.
Showtime
After the rigors of competition, all student-athletes gathered once more in the arena, from every corner of the Workers Stadium, for a grand get-together.
They were treated to a dazzling fashion show, including the parade of costumes of various nationalities, folk song singing by stars of major minority nationalities that reflect the cultural diversity of China, pulsating drum shows as well as a brilliant display of acrobatics featuring fire dragons and fireballs juggling.
The Workers Stadium was a sea of jubilation of the youth of the world. They danced, sang, cheered, exchanged uniforms and good wishes, promising to meet again in Daegu. The occasion will be forever remembered. Involving 6,000 performers coming from various parts of the country, this two-hour spectacular was a stunning snapshot of the Universiade City of Beijing. Memories that will never fade.
Relive the Moment
If you want to relive some memorable moments of this event, click on the Beijing Universiade Banner. Then choose video or photo to watch some of the finest moments of the ceremonies.
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