The 12th World Games was officially declared open in Chengdu City of southwest China's Sichuan Province on Thursday night.
Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin made the declaration during the opening ceremony which was held at the Tianfu International Convention Center.
Running from Aug 7 to 17, the Chengdu World Games will feature more than 256 events across 60 disciplines in 34 sports, with a record-breaking 6,679 participants from 116 countries and regions taking part, including 3,942 athletes.
More than 8,600 volunteers have been recruited for the Games, supported by more than 500 urban service stations to assist athletes and visitors. First held in 1981 and staged every four years, the World Games is the highest-level international multi-sport event outside the Olympic Games, and features sports and disciplines that are not on the Olympic program.
This year marks the first time the World Games is being hosted on the Chinese mainland.
In the lead up to the Games, an historic torch relay began on July 26 at the iconic Sanxingdui Museum, the cultural heart of Sichuan Province, with 120 torchbearers participating.
World Games 2025 officially opens in Chengdu
