Fireworks steal show as World Games start

The 12th World Games burst onto the global stage on Thursday night with an opening ceremony that artfully married the host city Chengdu's rich cultural legacy with stunning firework displays, as State Councilor Shen Yiqin declared the event open before global audiences.

Dazzling fireworks lit up the sky at moments throughout the opening ceremony, amplifying the energy and excitement of the spectacle.

The pyrotechnics incorporated meaningful symbols, including a luminous rainbow bridge arching across the night, ancient Chinese seal characters for "Chengdu" — replicating inscriptions first found on a bronze weapon dating back over 2,000 years — and 12 floral fireworks symbolizing all the host cities of The World Games so far.

Cai Canhuang, chief designer of the fireworks display, said: "These elements represent Chengdu's warm welcome to all guests and athletes, while showcasing the host city's perfect blend of ancient heritage and modern openness."

The ceremony unfolded beneath Asia's largest freestanding wooden structure — the 460-meter front hall canopy of Tianfu International Conference Center. Spectators enjoyed a unique lawn seating experience on the waterfront, where the show presented urban sports culture through breakdancing, cycling and rollerskating performances, alongside a one-hour parade of athletes.

Xu Xingguo, vice-mayor of Chengdu, described the ceremony as "a dynamic, multicultural celebration that brought together sport lovers, children's enchanting voices, a creatively crafted flame-lighting ritual and breathtaking fireworks — all merging into a spectacular audiovisual experience".

Against the picturesque setting of lakes, greenery, dusk and starlight, it became "a globally shared celebration of culture and sports," according to Xu.

A record 3,942 athletes from 116 countries and regions will participate in the sporting gala in 256 events across 34 sports including floorball, cheerleading, flying disc, powerlifting, fistball and squash.

The athlete roster spans generations, featuring a 68-year-old archer and a 13-year-old squash prodigy — a testament to the event's inclusive spirit.

Tom Dielen, vice-president of the International World Games Association, said: "The number reflects not only the growth of our games, but also the incredible diversity and talent that defines the world games family."

Dielen said that the Chengdu games have achieved many "firsts", noting that Chengdu organized the first-ever torch relay in the history of The World Games on July 26.

The 11-kilometer relay route spanned six cultural landmarks across the cities of Chengdu, Deyang and Meishan, connecting major cultural landmarks including the Sanxingdui and Jinsha ruins, as well as Meishan San Su Shrine Museum.

Dielen added that the Chengdu games stand out as the most sustainable edition, making use of 27 existing and renovated venues, both indoor and outdoor.

China's B-girl Liu Qingyi, who clinched bronze in breakdancing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, served as one of the IWGA flag bearers for the Chengdu games' opening ceremony.

Liu will also compete in the breaking event. "I aim to demonstrate the sport's skill, power and creativity to inspire more Chinese youth to dive into it," she said.