Switzerland made a striking start at the 2025 Chengdu World Games as Riccardo Rancan clinched the first gold medal in the men’s foot orienteering middle-distance race, clocking 45 minutes and 22 seconds. The event, held in China’s Sichuan Province, drew global attention as athletes navigated challenging terrain under clear skies.
China’s Tang Jianda and Liu Xiaoming finished 18th and 23rd, respectively, in a field dominated by European competitors. Meanwhile, Swiss runner Simona Aebersold secured another gold for her nation in the women’s event, outpacing Slovakia’s Tereza Smelikova and Sweden’s Alva Sonesson, who took silver and bronze.
The World Games, showcasing non-Olympic sports, highlights Chengdu’s growing role as a hub for international events. With over 3,000 athletes from 100+ countries and regions competing, the games underscore Asia’s expanding influence in global sports diplomacy and cultural exchange.
