The cauldron of China's inaugural Student (Youth) Games is lit up at the opening ceremony in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Nov. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Weiming)
NANNING, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The cauldron of China's first ever Student (Youth) Games was ignited at the Guangxi Sports Center in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sunday night.
At the opening ceremony, gymnastics world champion Lan Xingyu lit up the cauldron along with Huang Yaqing, a local student who volunteers as a teacher in a local underprivileged region.
Torchbearers Huang Yaqing (L) and Lan Xingyu (R) stand at the cauldron of China's inaugural Student (Youth) Games. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Born in Guangxi's Liuzhou, Lan is highly accomplished in his field, showing dominance in the men's rings at the 50th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships and this year's Chengdu Universiade and Hangzhou Asian Games.
It took the Games' flame 14 days to travel from its starting point -- the coastal city of Beihai where surfing and sailing competitions take place -- to Nanning.
A total of 455 torchbearers have participated in the relay, ranging in age from 12 to 45 years old, according to event organizers.
The cauldron of China's inaugural Student (Youth) Games at the opening ceremony in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Nov. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)
Among the high-profile torchbearers was Lao Yi, a Beihai-born sprinter who claimed the men's 100m title at the Asian Games in 2010, and is now coaching Guangxi's sprint team.
"Being part of the torch relay in my hometown is an honor and duty," said Lao. "I hope all the youth athletes can compete to the best of their abilities."
Fireworks at the opening ceremony of China's inaugural Student (Youth) Games in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Nov. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
The Games features over 20,000 athletes, most of whom are under the age of 22, and features 39 sports, 51 disciplines and 805 events in open and campus categories.
45 venues, including 15 new ones, have been prepared for the Games.
The closing ceremony will be held on November 15 in Nanning. ■
