Exclusive | Covid-19 in China: Chengdu FISU World University Games to be postponed for second time, sources say
- The event, originally due to take place last year, had already been put back to late June
- Sources in Chengdu say promotional work has been stopped and volunteers stood down
The World University Games, which were due to start in Chengdu in late June, will be delayed until next year, a source who is in contact with the organising committee has told the South China Morning Post.
The FISU World University Games, held every two years, were originally due to be held in August 2021 in the capital of the southwest province Sichuan.
People familiar with the matter said a decision on a second postponement could be made public imminently.
Beijing lumbers back to work as Covid-19 outbreak stalls transport
They pointed to the number of events that had been cancelled in China due to the strict quarantine rules and suggested that these “difficult conditions” were a challenge for any event organiser.
One source involved in publicity work for the games said staff had been told to pull all advertising for the event and promotional work had come to a “dramatic stop”. The source added: “We are waiting for the final decision.”
A local official involved in organising games volunteers also said that they have been told to stand down for now.
The source continued that students had to undergo PCR tests once a week on campus, adding: “We will have lots of explaining to do.”
China has been struggling with a new wave of Covid-19 driven by the Omicron variant.
In late March, financial hub Shanghai entered a sudden lockdown with its 25 million residents being ordered to stay home. Restrictions still remain in force across large parts of the city.
Beijing has also been tackling a rise in cases, shutting down parts of the public transport network, closing restaurants and malls, and telling residents to work from home.
Some university students in Chengdu have complained that they were not allowed to travel outside the city during the Labour Day holiday from April 30 to May 4 as part of pandemic control measures.
A spokesman for Switzerland-based FISU – the International University Sports Federation – told the Associated Press last month that it had raised many concerns with Chinese authorities, and said officials had reassured them that Chengdu would not be locked down.
China is also due to hold the Asian Games from September 10-25 in Hangzhou. This event involves more than 11,000 athletes – more than the usual number of competitors at the Summer Olympics.