Group 1 - The 12th World Games will take place in Chengdu from August 7, 2025, with the soft hockey event starting on August 6 [2] - Chinese athletes Shi Jingwei and Guo Dan will serve as flag bearers for the opening ceremony, highlighting their recent achievements in their respective sports [2] - The Chengdu Athletes' Village officially opened on August 3, providing services for approximately 7,000 participants during the event [2] Group 2 - The opening ceremony will have a theme of "Unlimited Sports, Diverse Atmosphere," lasting about 90 minutes, with a 15-minute cultural performance segment [3] - All 27 competition venues for the Chengdu World Games are ready, adhering to principles of resource optimization for post-event use [3] - The Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is expected to see a 1.5 times increase in passenger traffic during the event, with enhanced services for participants [3] Group 3 - The International World Games Association President, José Perurena, expressed high expectations for the event, noting the quality of venues, volunteer levels, and professionalism of the organizing committee [4]

Group 1 - The 32nd World University Summer Games will take place in Germany from July 16 to 27, 2025, with approximately 8,500 athletes and officials from 150 countries expected to participate [1] - The Chinese delegation will consist of over 220 members, including around 120 athletes, competing in 14 sports and over 90 events [1] - The average age of the athletes is 21.9 years, with approximately 86% being first-time participants in the Universiade and about 84% representing their country in a world or continental multi-sport event for the first time [1] Group 2 - The event will feature 18 major sports, including basketball, badminton, swimming, and more, with a new category for disabled athletes in 3x3 basketball [1] - The Chinese delegation is composed of students and faculty from 81 universities and institutions across 26 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities [1] - The Secretary-General of the Student Sports Association expressed hopes for the teams to showcase Chinese culture and the positive spirit of the youth during the event [2]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of sports participation for everyone, regardless of gender, age, or skill level, highlighting the historical significance of traditional sports in China, particularly Sumo wrestling and other ancient sports [2][10]. Group 1: Historical Context of Sports - Sumo wrestling has roots tracing back to ancient times, with the earliest records found in "Shu Yi Ji," describing a combat style used by tribes over 4,000 years ago [10]. - The sport evolved through various dynasties, initially known as "Jiao Li" and later referred to as "Sumo" during the Tang and Song dynasties, where it became popular in both royal courts and among the public [10][11]. - Other ancient sports in China included Cuju (an early form of football), archery, and Touhu (a throwing game), each carrying cultural and historical significance [11][14]. Group 2: Cultural Significance of Sports - Archery was one of the earliest sports invented in China, influencing military strategies and historical events, and was included in the modern Olympic Games in 1900 [11][12]. - Cuju, originally a military training exercise, became a popular recreational activity during the Song dynasty, enjoyed by all social classes [14]. - Touhu has been a traditional game for over 2,000 years, often played during banquets and social gatherings, reflecting the cultural practices of ancient China [14][16].