In winter, Changchun becomes a city of white, adorned with exquisite ice sculptures and animated by the flash of speeding snowboards and the gleam of skate blades on the rink. On January 15, marking the one-year countdown to the CHANGCHUN 2027 33rd Winter Universiade, a series of events was held in both Changchun City and Jilin City. These activities showcased the progress in preparations for the Universiade and helped foster a vibrant atmosphere for the upcoming ice and snow sports events. In one year, the world's top winter sports athletes will gather in Changchun, a city dubbed the "Spring City in Northern China", to compete for glory at the Universiade.

The Start of "Changchun Time" for the Winter Universiade

At 6:00 pm on January 15, the Arbitrarily River Park in Changchun was brimming with dazzling and colorful scenes. "Youth Takes the Lead, Ice & Snow Respond" – The One-Year Countdown to CHANGCHUN 2027 33rd Winter Universiade kicked off with great enthusiasm.

Thirty-three landmarks across Changchun lit up simultaneously. Fashion shows on ice, castle light shows, and fireworks displays took center stage one after another, capturing those brilliant moments when winter charm collides with youthful energy. At the Jilin City sub-venue, a dynamic ice hockey performance at Beishan Park's Dadong Jiulong Ice Rink showcased the city's vibrant spirit.

Ice and snow connect us, and on this foundation, youth builds its dreams. CTG International Songhua Lake Ski Resort, one of the venues for the Winter Universiade, was buzzing with activity. Snow sports enthusiasts filled a message board with their hopes and blessings for the Games, celebrating the one-year countdown.

Right now, over 300 college students from 60 universities nationwide are in training at Songhua Lake Ski Resort for the upcoming 12th National College Students Ski Challenge (Finals) – an event that will also serve as one of the key qualifiers for the 33rd Winter Universiade. "We are actively preparing and training." said Wang Lvjingyang, a member of the Peking University Ski Team.

It is reported that the 33rd Winter Universiade will be held from January 15 to January 25, 2027. Guided by the principles of economy, frugality, and sustainability, the Games will be hosted in two zones – with Changchun City as the main venue and Jilin City as the sub-venue — featuring 12 sports and 93 events in total.

The one-year countdown marks the start of the final sprint in preparations for the Games and stirs up expectations from all sectors of society for this "winter sports rendezvous".

Preparations in Full Swing

The 33rd Winter Universiade marks the second time that this global winter sports gala for young athletes has landed in China, following the 2009 Harbin Winter Universiade. Currently, the renovation, construction of relevant venues and facilities, as well as event organization, are progressing in an orderly manner.

As we gear up for the Games, the organizing committee has integrated all ice and snow events into our green vision –prioritizing energy-efficient technologies for artificial snow-making. We leverage cutting-edge tech to cut energy use, while safeguarding the heritage of long-standing ski resorts, striking a balance between ecological conservation and event support,” commented Milan Augustin, FISU Winter Games Director.

The 33rd Winter Universiade features many disciplines, making the coordination of schedules and sharing of venues a key organizational task. It is reported that these disciplines do not operate independently. FISU technical delegates are working alongside Chinese specialists in a joint effort to guarantee full compliance with international requirements. Unlike single-sport tournaments, the preparation for the Winter Universiade requires a systematic mindset. It is necessary to balance the needs of all disciplines in schedule arrangement and overall planning, and address the challenges of resource sharing through efficient coordination.

"China has developed its own model and experience in organizing large-scale international events. From the Beijing Olympic Games to the Shenzhen Universiade and the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games, each edition has built upon the last while introducing its innovations and breakthroughs," commented FISU President Leonz Eder.

As the 365-day countdown kicks off officially, this eagerly awaited youth sports event, a link between cities, presents the openness and vitality of the "Spring City in Northern China" to the world.

A Showcase of China's Development Vitality to the World

Situated within the world's golden latitude belt for snow and ice, Jilin Province boasts exceptional natural resource advantages for winter sports, along with a profound legacy in this field.

Changchun is one of the earliest cities in China to develop winter sports. In 1980, at Lake Placid in the USA, the Chinese sports delegation embarked on its first-ever Winter Olympics journey, the flag-bearer waving the Five-star Red Flag at the opening ceremony was none other than Zhao Weichang, the legendary speed skater hailing from Changchun.

Since China first competed in the Winter Olympics, Changchun has nurtured and sent over 100 athletes to national teams of different levels. Jilin-born athletes have won gold medals at multiple consecutive Winter Olympics. Each weighty medal and record-breaking moment captures the daring spirit of Changchun's winter sports, steadily broadening its public appeal. The holding of the Winter Universiade further motivates local young athletes to strive for higher-level competitions. On the rinks and slopes, young athletes can be seen training everywhere.

Changchun uses snow as a bridge and makes friends through competitions. "I'm thrilled that the Winter Universiade is coming to our own backyard. I can't wait to exchange ideas and skills with athletes from across the globe," said Zhang Jinqiao, a junior at Jilin Institute of Physical Education.

Fueled by the Games, public enthusiasm for winter sports across Jilin Province has soared. Outdoor ice and snow facilities can be seen everywhere in the city. Mass ice and snow activities are rich and varied, and enjoying ice and snow has become a new trend – one that attracts tourists from far and wide to experience the thrill of winter sports.

With great enthusiasm and vibrant energy, Changchun and Jilin are sending a heartfelt invitation to the world. In this grand event where ice and snow meet with youth, we take sports as the medium and friendship as the bridge, enabling the world to witness the charm of China's winter landscapes and feel the dynamism of China's development.

Source: Xinhua News App  Editor: Liu Jiadi