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The closing ceremony for the Shenzhen 26th Summer Universiade was held on 23 August. About 13,000 players and officials from 180 nations around the world attended this majestic event. This year’s competition was not only the largest in the event’s history, it was also different from previous games. Find out more about games highlights and see the videos from the closing ceremony see the CNTV News stories Closing ceremony of 26th Summer Universiade and Shenzhen Universiade makes history.

From 12 to 23 August Shenzhen proudly hosts the Shenzhen Universiade 2011. The Universiade is a major multi-sport event organised for university athletes from around the world by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The name is a combination of the words “University” and “olympiad”.

The colorful Shenzhen Universiade 2011 ‘Happy U’ emblem aims to convey the message that the Universiade is a carnival gathering for university students from around the world. The mascot, “UU”, is a smiling face developed from the Happy U designed to embody the great vitality and uplifting spirit typical of the young people competing in the games. The slogan, “Start Here”, demonstrates the Universiade’s focus on innovation.

The hosting of the Universiade has benefited more than 10 million Shenzhen residents through infrastructure upgrades, for example the opening of new Shenzhen Metro lines, and other urban improvements throughout the city.

To find out more about this great event visit:

• Official Website of the Shenzhen Universiade 2011
• CNTV Shenzhen Universiade 2011 Special Feature
• China Daily Shenzhen Universiade 2011 Special Feature
• Shenzhen Daily “Universiade News” English edition

The sacred flame for the 2011 Shenzhen Universiade was ignited Monday morning in a ceremony held at the Tsinghua University, one of the country’s premiere institutions of higher learning. Wang Rong, vice-president of the Shenzhen Universiade organizing committee, welcomed the the Universiade flame and said that this represents an important moment in Shenzhen’s history, as it is the first time that a large-scale international games are being held in Shenzhen.

The flame will burn during the August 12-23 Universiade, following a torch relay which will start in another famous university in the capital of China, Beijing University, on 4 May which is Chinese Youth Day. Find out more in the CNTV news story Shenzhen Universiade flame lit at Tsinghua University.

Tsinghua University, where the Shenzhen Universiade was lit, is currently celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding. The university is one of China’s foremost higher learning institutions, and is experiencing reform and progress as it aspires to become one of the highest ranked universities in the world. Find out more in the CNTV news story Tsinghua University marks 100th anniversary.

Li Hao reports in the Shenzhen Daily that a total of 118 countries, regions confirm Universiade participation. From 12 to 23 August 2011 Shenzhen will host the 26th Universiade games, a major international sporting and cultural event.