The Shenzhen delegation bidding to host the 2011 Summer Universiade made its final set of presentations before the Executive Committee of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) in Turin yesterday.

Shenzhen Vice Mayor Yan Xiaopei and Shen Zhen, a young official with the Chinese University Sports Federation, made presentations, with Vice Minister of Education Zhang Xinsheng acting as the master of ceremonies, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. yesterday morning (5-6 p.m. Beijing Time) in the northern Italian city.

An eight-minute video with the theme of "no difference in time, space and young people between Shenzhen and the outside world" was played before the major presentations.

Mayor Xu Zongheng, in his speech in English, said Shenzhen is not alone in the bid, as Guangdong Province, and Hong Kong and Macao universities are backing Shenzhen's efforts.

"I myself a university professor, I am very much interested in university sports," Yan told the committee members.

"Shenzhen is a young city with a history of only 26 years. It is a miracle to witness what Shenzhen has achieved over the years ¡­ I am sure we can offer the best service, marketing ideas and complete facilities for the 2011 Universiade," she said.

Shen Zhen, whose presentation followed Yan's, said it was coincidence that his father chose for him a name with the same pronunciation as Shenzhen.

"Shenzhen will invest a total of US$640 million to build 54 sports facilities to stage the 26th Universiade, including 29 gyms and 25 training venues. The Universiade Village, under construction in Longgang District, will be connected by four expressways and a light rail to downtown Shenzhen," he said.

All the facilities will be open to university students and residents after the event. Apart from 10 compulsory sports events, the Universiade, will include three optional sports in badminton, sailing and shooting, he said.

Kazan was the first of the five cities bidding for the Summer Universiade to make presentations. It was followed by Kaohsiung, Shenzhen, Murcia and Poznan in the morning and Erzurum and Maribor in the afternoon. Erzurum and Maribor were bidding to host the Winter Universiade in 2011.

Editor: Yan