Games opening venue changed
Li Hao
SHENZHEN Bay Sports Center in Nanshan District would replace the Universiade Stadium in Longgang District as the venue for the opening ceremony of the 2011 Universiade, a press conference was told Thursday.
The bay venue would help present Shenzhen to the world as a modern coastal city with a bridge connecting Nanshan and Hong Kong, said Shi Gang, director of the opening and closing ceremonies department of the Games executive office.
The Longgang stadium, surrounded by undeveloped land, will be the venue for the closing ceremony.
“The Universiade opening ceremony would be different from the Beijing Olympics and Guangzhou Asian Games opening ceremonies. It will use space inside and outside the stadium. We will make every athlete a part of the opening ceremony,” said Jiang Haoyang, general manager of the company in charge of the opening and closing ceremonies.
Earlier media reports said the venue change was inspired by the spectacular opening and closing ceremonies of the Asian Games in Guangzhou, which were held in the city’s new urban area and featured the innovative use of water elements.
The location helped show Guangzhou to the world, which Shenzhen wanted to emulate, according to the reports.
A fireworks display on Shenzhen Bay was being considered, said Jiang.
The opening ceremony would be designed by a team of creative talent from different industries.
Called the “Spring Cocoon,” the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center includes a stadium, a gymnasium, a swimming pool and a theme park, along with other sporting facilities.
Source:ShenzhenDaily | Editer:王佳