Over 6,600 athletes from 116 countries and regions gathered in Chengdu on Thursday as the 12th World Games launched under the theme "Boundless Sports, Countless Wonders." The event – China’s fifth major international sports gathering since 2022 – spotlights 34 non-Olympic disciplines, from flying disc competitions to powerboating, while weaving cultural diplomacy into every match.
"Sports are a bond that promotes friendship among peoples," Chinese President Xi Jinping remarked during the opening ceremony, reinforcing the Games’ role as a platform for cross-cultural understanding. The Chinese team debuts in 12 events, including floorball and cheerleading, as athletes from six continents share skills and traditions.
Beyond medals, the Chengdu Games feature interactive cultural exhibitions and local Sichuan cuisine tastings. Organizers highlight this blend of competition and camaraderie as key to Xi’s vision of using international events to "promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations."
With 256 sub-events scheduled through July 16, the Games offer investors insights into China’s growing sports tourism sector while giving diaspora communities a touchstone to Asian innovation. Analysts note such events strengthen China’s soft power, with Chengdu’s tech-forward infrastructure showcasing sustainable event management strategies.
