FISU leadership explores Chengdu’s legacy and future collaborations

Under the warm June sun, the vibrant city of Chengdu rolled out its welcome for a distinguished FISU delegation, as President Leonz Eder, Secretary General Matthias Remund, and FISU Summer Games Director Jing Zhao embarked on a significant visit to celebrate past achievements and explore future partnerships.

FISU leadership’s three-day itinerary showcased Chengdu’s remarkable transformation since hosting the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games in the summer of 2023, revealing how the event’s legacy continues to shape the city’s sports culture and international standing. 

An everlasting friendship

“Chengdu’s doors will always be open to our FISU friends,” Vice Major Xu said during a heartfelt toast at the welcome dinner, “The friendship we built through the FISU Games is not just for today, but forever.” The gathering became a lively exchange of memories from the Chengdu 2021 FISU Games, with old and new friends sharing behind-the-scenes stories that resonated deeply with their hosts. 

Some images of the three-day visit

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During their stay, the FISU delegations visited the Chengdu Sport University and the Chengdu University. At Chengdu Sport University’s gleaming new campus, the President Eder, serving as guide for Secretary General Remund, paused at an Olympic-standard swimming pool, “This,” Eder noted, “is what happens when vision meets execution – facilities that serve both education and high-performance sport.” 

FISU Games’ spirit remains

The tour continued at Chengdu University, the former FISU Games Village that has seamlessly transitioned into a thriving academic hub. Walking through courtyards once filled with student-athletes from around the world, Director Zhao pointed out subtle design elements preserved from the FISU Games Village days, physical reminders of the space’s dual history in both sport and education.  “You can still feel the FISU Games’ spirit here.” she said.

The visit culminated at the FISU Games Museum, where carefully curated exhibits told the story of Chengdu’s unforgettable summer. Sunlight streamed through the museum’s modern architecture, illuminating displays of uniforms, medals, and photographs that seemed to pulse with the energy of the summer in  2023.  “The energy here is impressive,” remarked Secretary General Matthias Remund, making his first official visit to Chengdu. “This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking partnership that can elevate university sports to new heights.” 

Thriving educational legacies

At the end of the short trip, President Leonz Eder reflected on their journey through Chengdu’s sporting landscape. “What we’ve seen here proves that the FISU Games were never just about 2023,” he said. “Chengdu didn’t simply host an event – it embraced a philosophy that continues to grow.” With new marketing partnerships discussed, educational legacies thriving, and memories being preserved for future generations, this visit marked not an ending, but a promising new chapter in FISU’s relationship with Chengdu.