Chengdu is hosting the 2021 Summer Universiade ©Chengdu 2021

International University Sports Federation President (FISU) Oleg Matytsin is confident that Chengdu 2021 can use China's previous experience of hosting multi-sport events to be ready in time for the next Summer Universiade. 

Matytsin commented on Chengdu 2021's preparations as the 2019 Summer Universiade takes place here.

A delegation from Chengdu presented a progress report to the FISU Executive Committee last week and are considered to be on track, with construction for the Opening and Closing Ceremony venue and 500,000 square-metre Athletes' Village already underway.

The venue for the Ceremonies will be at the Dong'an Lake Sports Center.

The complex, located in the Longquanyi District, is spread out over 678 acres and consists of one main sports stadium with a capacity of 40,000 and four other multi-functional venues with around 18,000 spectator seats each.

Despite the progress made, Matytsin revealed that FISU were still concerned at the amount of time remaining for preparations, but were confident that the Chengdu 2021 Organising Committee could draw on China's previous experience. 

International University Sports Federation President Oleg Matytsin has revealed concerns about the time left until Chengdu 2021 ©FISU
International University Sports Federation President Oleg Matytsin has revealed concerns about the time left until Chengdu 2021 ©FISU

"We have only one concern and that is the time," he said.

"We have a limit of time, but we have no limit of human resources.

"They have experience organising many events.

"Chengdu as a city has great infrastructure, they have the campus, they have the students.

"They are professional people who understand the concept of the Universiade and we have no concerns.

"Only the time, but again, China has experience in organising many multi-sport events such as the Olympics and Universiade.

"We have very close relations and I don't see any problems."

The Chengdu 2021 Organising Committee can draw on previous Chinese experience of hosting the Summer Universiade, such as Shenzhen in 2011 ©European University Sports Association
The Chengdu 2021 Organising Committee can draw on previous Chinese experience of hosting the Summer Universiade, such as Shenzhen in 2011 ©European University Sports Association 

China have hosted the Summer Universiade twice before, with Beijing welcoming the event in 2001 and Shenzhen in 2011.

The capital also held the Summer Olympics in 2008 and are set to put on the Winter Olympics in 2022. 

Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province, was awarded the 2021 Summer Universiade in March.

Since then, they have launched a marketing campaign and revealed their logo. 

The proposed dates for the event are August 8 to 19.

A total of 18 sports feature on the suggested sports programme, including 15 that are mandatory – archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, diving, gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, fencing, judo, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball and water polo.

The three optional sports will be canoeing, shooting and wushu.