With just 30 days remaining until the 12th World Games open in southwest China's Chengdu City on August 7, organizers are putting the finishing touches to what may be one of the most innovative opening ceremony venues in the event's history.
The ceremony will unfold within the spectacular Tianfu Eaves -- Asia's largest wooden structure that perfectly embodies Chengdu's fusion of urban development and natural beauty.
The Tianfu Eaves, located in Chengdu's Tianfu New Area, is a stunning 430-meter-long, 32-meter-high wooden structure with a 16-meter span, making it the largest single wooden building in Asia. Rather than building temporary structures, organizers have transformed this existing architectural marvel into the centerpiece of the Games' opening festivities.
"The Tianfu Eaves structure wasn't built specifically for the World Games -- it's an inherent part of our cityscape. This embodies our 'simplicity' principle: utilizing existing spaces and facilities to organically integrate urban landscapes and citizens' daily lives into this mega event," said Qiao Wei, chief scriptwriter for the Games' opening and closing ceremonies.
The ceremony venue boasts cutting-edge technology, featuring two massive "Dou Ping" (bucket-shaped) LED screens as key highlights. These screens utilize the latest high-brightness, high-resolution display technology, with their angles and positions precisely calculated to ensure unobstructed views for all spectators, no matter where they are seated.
"Some spectators will not seat in traditional stands at all -- they will be sitting right on the grassy lawn, experiencing the Games together in this completely outdoor setting. I think this truly captures Chengdu's distinctive local character," said Huang Peiling, deputy director of the opening and closing ceremonies.
Staying true to Chengdu's "Park City" ecological concept and the principle of "frugal event hosting," the opening ceremony will maximize existing urban spaces. Audiences will not only enjoy Chengdu's unique scenery but also immerse themselves in spectacular performances, experiencing the perfect fusion of sports, nature and culture.
"What we try to present is a multi-dimensional Chengdu -- a Chengdu that transitions seamlessly between day and night. This truly exemplifies the distinctive character of holding an opening ceremony in an authentic, real-world setting," said Qiao.
The World Games features a range of niche sports and activities, including snooker, wakeboarding, cheerleading and lacrosse, which are not represented at the Olympic Games.
Preparations underway for unique opening ceremony of 12th World Games
