CHENGDU, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Two-week stay in Chengdu really impressed Italian athletes and delegation officials who are attending the Chengdu Universiade, which will close on Tuesday.
Elena Altamura, Italian women's water polo player, took a lot of photos in her last day at the arena after the final match, in which Italy settled for a silver, on Monday.
"The facilities are great, the atmosphere is great, much better than I expected," said Altamura.
Altamura was impressed not just by the games, but also by the giant pandas, who are exclusively bred in Sichuan province. She definitely hopes to have a chance to return to Chengdu.
"We spent some time getting over the jet lag when we first arrived in Chengdu, but the next two weeks were really memorable, we had a lot of fun, apart from training, we toured the city, both the city center and the old town, and we went to see the pandas," she said. "Surely I'll come back."
Altamura also experienced the enthusiasm of volunteers at the Village and the venues, commenting that the organization of the games was outstanding.
Like Altamura, Andrea Ippolito from the Italian University Sports Federation agrees that the facilities for the Chengdu Universiade are modern and beautiful. "From my point of view, everything is perfect, the university village is good, the organization is great, and we are well looked after," he said.
Ippolito has visited China many times, including the 2001 Universiade in Beijing and the 2011 Universiade in Shenzhen. "I also hope to return to Chengdu, which is a place I like very much," the official said. "China has been developing fast over the years, and I think China is a great country."
As a big fan of Chinese food, Ippolito said, "I like spicy food, and I can learn about the country's culture and traditions from the food."
"I love Chinese food too," said Julien Lanfranco, Italy's men's water polo player.
Lanfranco and his teammates also had a tour around Chengdu. "It is my first time in Chengdu, the city is beautiful, all the people are warm, and we also saw the pandas, I will remember it forever," said the 22-year-old Italian.
"I'm leaving Chengdu, and I'm going to miss this place, it was a great experience, maybe I will come back in a few years, I am grateful to all the people who helped us.
Lanfranco has bought too many souvenirs, mostly panda-themed licensed products, these days to fill in his suitcase, so he has to buy another one back home.
"I have learned a lot in Chengdu this time. I will soon graduate from school and continue to take on the water polo," Lanfranco added. ■
