The sky is lit up with fireworks during the One-Year Countdown to the 26th Summer Universiade, Shenzhen.
Colorful and changeable in shape, the 2011 Universiade torch was unveiled in Shenzhen on Thursday, August 12, 2010 with a spectacular celebration to mark the one-year countdown to the Games.
Bearing a Universiade logo, the torch is different from most used to herald sporting event in that rings forming the torch can be revolved to change shape, which means each torchbearer can have a unique Universiade torch.
The torch is expected to be ignited at Beijing University and passed through 30 college campuses across the country before the Games open Aug. 12 next year, according to the Universiade organizing committee.
Xue Mei, designer of "Ocean Heart," the Universiade medal, world famous pianist Lang Lang and Chinese diving queen Guo Jingjing unveiled the gold, silver and bronze medals during the celebration. The medals feature inlaid conch shell. Xue is from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts.
A stellar array of singers and performers participated in the celebration and delivered their best wishes by fantastic shows. Lang Lang, the world famous pianist, the image ambassador of Shenzhen Universiade presented a melody “Shenzhen Rhythm” specially composed for Shenzhen Universiade.
Themed "Tell the World," the celebration was attended by about 30,000 people, including Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua and other government officials, college students, foreign consuls from Guangzhou and sports and arts celebrities.
