The 12th edition of the World Games is being held in Chengdu, Sichuan province, from Aug. 7-17. Here, China.org.cn previews the upcoming event and presents some of its highlights.

The World Games Village in Chengdu, Sichuan province, Aug. 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Attracting over 4,000 athletes from more than 100 countries and regions globally, the World Games represents a significant international sports gathering. Since the first edition was held in the United States in 1981, the event has been held every four years, and is now taking place in China's southwestern city of Chengdu.

The 2025 Games will feature 34 major events, 60 minor events and 256 sub-events, with non-Olympic events as the main part. Notably, sports such as free diving, dragon boat racing and wushu will make their debut as official competition events.

The Chengdu World Games not only demonstrate the charm of traditional sports like karate, archery and powerlifting, but also showcase dynamic, modern sports such as drone racing and parkour. Significantly, sports like trampoline, sport climbing, flag football, softball, lacrosse and squash, which are designated as official events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, will also be presented.

The Chinese delegation, which is composed of 321 athletes, will participate in 28 major events and 152 sub-events. This represents the largest scale of China's participation since 1981. Specifically, the Chinese team is taking part in 12 events for the first time, including floorball, cheerleading, flying disc and powerboating.

Relying on its ecological foundation as a "park city," Chengdu has emphasized the significance of green ecology during its preparations.

The goal of holding a frugal Games has been achieved through a series of measures. For example, most of the competition venues were renovated rather than newly constructed, thereby integrating the elegance of traditional architecture with the contemporary essence of Chengdu. Meanwhile, the medals have been made from recycled materials using the latest technologies.

Intelligent robots have been deployed in multiple scenarios at the event, such as guiding services, with many technological products enabling interconnection and collaborative operation, demonstrating the combination of modern technology and environmental conservation.

Furthermore, the integration of sports and culture is a distinctive feature of this edition. The mascots, Shu Bao and Jin Zai, derive their names from Sichuan's world-renowned local Shu brocade and are based on two national treasures: the giant panda and Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. The design of the competition's medals and torch also incorporate traditional Chinese patterns and local elements, demonstrating the region's unique culture. 

During the Games, a host of interactive activities will be organized, providing participants with opportunities to engage directly with traditional Chinese cultural arts such as calligraphy, Shu embroidery and shadow puppetry.

To foster the fusion of culture and tourism, Chengdu has released a ticket discount map, offering visitors savings at numerous well-known venues. Sichuan province has also launched a joint travel initiative, connecting world-class scenic spots such as Jiuzhaigou, Dujiangyan, Sanxingdui and Daocheng Yading. By capitalizing on the event's appeal, the Initiative highlights the synergy between sports and Sichuan's rich cultural heritage, showcasing it to a global audience.