Chinese athletes expressed their excitement at participating in the 2025 World University Games in Germany, looking forward to bringing glory for their country.
The 2025 Rhine-Ruhr World University Games opened Wednesday at the Schauinsland Reisen Arena.
The FISU Games bring over 9,200 participants from more than 150 countries and regions competing from July 16 to 27.
In interviews with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Cui Hechen, a badminton player and China's flagbearer, said he realized his dream.
"I didn't sleep well last night because I was thrilled to serve as the flagbearer at the opening ceremony, stepping onto the stage with the national flag of my motherland. I have been looking forward to this moment -- carrying my motherland's national flag to this stage," he said.
Liang Yushuai, a Chinese Taekwondo athlete, said he is happy to compete in the event for the second time.
"I participated in the Chengdu Universiade two years ago, and I am very happy and excited to be back through my hard work. I feel really happy and the opening ceremony was fantastic," he said.
Chinese athletes excited to participate in World University Games in Germany
Some Iranians in Türkiye are crossing back over the border, driven by worry and desperation, as a nationwide communications blackout in Iran has left them cut off from their loved ones.
Protests have erupted in many Iranian cities since Dec. 28. They initially began with Tehran bazaar merchants demonstrating against the sharp devaluation of the national currency rial, and soaring inflation, before spreading to other cities. The unrest has led to casualties among both security forces and civilians.
At the Turkish-Iranian border, many are returning with no certainty about what awaits them, filled instead with questions and growing fear for those on the other side of the border.
"I went to Van yesterday for internet. I urgently needed to use the internet. I got it done. Now I'm heading straight back. There are protests everywhere. We can't get any news. We can't communicate with our families. And it's not just me, there are many Iranians outside the country who can't reach their families," said Feriste, an Iranian citizen.
With communications blacked out across Iran, those outside the country feel powerless to check on the situation back home. For some, this silence has prompted them to return across the border, even as tensions continue to rise.
"We can't get any news. There is no internet. Everything is shut down. I want to search. I want to find out. I want to see my brother. I'm going to see my family," said Husnu, an Iranian citizen.
"I work in Türkiye, and I have no news from Iran at all. I'm going back because I'm worried about my family. It's been days since I last heard from them, and because I'm worried, I'm returning to Iran now. Of course, we are concerned about our safety. We don't know what awaits us there," said another Iranian.
With protests escalating and government blackouts still in place, many Iranians are caught between staying in safety abroad and risking everything to reconnect with their families.
"We had to come to Türkiye because we couldn't reach our families. Schools were closed already. All official institutions were shut down. We have no information about other cities either, because there is no communication network there. There is no television, no internet. We can't even check Twitter," said Nazlican, another Iranian citizen.
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
