Shenzheners have collected more than 2 million signatures across the city and other parts of the world during the past year to show their support for the 2011 Universiade bid, according to the municipal sports bureau.

A month-long petition closed Saturday (Dec 9) at the CITIC Plaza adding at least another million names from more than 500 communities across the city.

An ongoing drive organized by Shenzhen Metro at its stations is expected to add another ten thousand signatures.

Shenzheners' are also sharing their hopes for the event with people across the world.

In August, more than 20,000 residents in Asia and Europe signed their names on a banner promoting Shenzhen's bid to host the 2011 Universiade on the streets of the Turkish capital of Ankara, after a team of cyclists from Shenzhen arrived there during an 11-country Asia-Europe tour.

The team, led by Lin Mingwei, a physical education teacher at Shenzhen Bao'an Middle School, embarked on the odyssey to promote Shenzhen's bid. In 2004, Lin cycled from Beijing to Paris and last year the 32-year old pedaled across Australia in 25 days, bringing back another 4,800 signatures.

Apart from the signatures, Shenzheners have also demonstrated their determination in sport.

More than 760,000 people joined the city's 27th Jogging Day on Nov. 1. This year, they all came with the hope of hosting the 2011 Universiade.

Some 1,000 senior citizens performed tai chi in the Lixiang Park in Nanshan District in January, showing their support.

Martin Peuichter, 24, an American undergraduate who is currently studying at Shenzhen University, said he is impressed by local people's desire for a successful Universiade.

"By joining these activities, I feel like I'm part of the city and its bid for the games," he said.

Students are actively preparing for the Universiade, said Zhang Baoquan, director general of the Shenzhen Municipal Education Bureau.

"Not only college students, but also middle and primary school students regard the Universiade as a significant event. They believe the event can promote world peace and friendship and enhance communications," he said.

"Hosting the Universiade will help bring Shenzhen's education sector closer to the world, and further enhance the cooperation between universities in Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Guangzhou," he said, adding that sports experts in the three cities have offered to help Shenzhen's Universiade bid.

Shenzhen Mayor Xu Zongheng also vowed to mobilize all possible resources to take the Universiade to new heights.

"Hosting an influential world sports event will be a milestone in the city's progress towards becoming an international city," said Vice Mayor Liang Daoxing in an early exclusive interview with Shenzhen Daily.

Editor: Wing