Yesterday morning, the youth basketball and badminton competitions pre-started. (Photo by reporter Wu Anya)

This newspaper (Reporters Zhai Wanqian and Yu Bingqing) On August 8th, our city held a press conference to introduce the overall situation and preparatory progress for the 15th Wuhu City Games.

The Wuhu City Games is the city's highest-profile, highest-quality, and largest comprehensive sports event, held every four years. This year's event adheres to the principles of "green, vibrant, joyful, and shared" and the motto of "Enjoy the City Games, Have Fun in Wuhu." It is hosted by the Wuhu Municipal People's Government and organized by the Municipal Sports Bureau, Municipal Education Bureau, Municipal Disabled Persons' Federation, Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, Municipal Health Commission, and various county and city governments, development zone management committees, and other units. It is co-organized by various county and city sports administrative departments, relevant sports associations, and organizations. Participating units include various counties and cities, the Wanjiang Jiangbei Emerging Industry Cluster Zone, the Economic and Technological Development Zone, the Sanshan Economic Development Zone, municipal government agencies, the Federation of Trade Unions, and universities in Wuhu.

Reporters learned that this year's City Games will be held from August to November. The opening ceremony, scheduled for late September at the Wuhu Olympic Sports Center, will feature a national fitness show, an opening ceremony, and cultural and sports performances. A closing and awards ceremony will be held in mid-November to summarize the competition's achievements and present various awards. Competition venues will be located at the Wuhu Olympic Sports Center, various counties, districts, development zones, and universities, ensuring universal participation.

The competition will feature three divisions: Youth, Group, and Para-Special Olympics, encompassing 64 events. The Youth Division includes 26 events, including 20 in athletics, fencing, badminton, and wushu routines for primary and secondary schools; the University Division features six events, including football, basketball, volleyball, and table tennis; the Group Division features 26 events, including popular sports such as traditional martial arts, badminton, rope skipping, and volleyball; and the Para-Special Olympics Division offers 12 events, encompassing both disability and Special Olympics sports. This year's City Games will not feature team rankings or medal tables. Awards will be presented individually according to the competition regulations of each department. "Excellent Organization Award," "Sportsmanship Award," and "Excellent Competition Area Award" will also be recognized.

Unlike previous games, this year's City Games will adopt a comprehensive, coordinated organization model. Competitions will be distributed across counties, districts, and development zones according to their specific events, fostering a vibrant citywide atmosphere where "every county has a competition, every district has an event, and everyone can participate." Regarding promotional activities, in addition to traditional methods, a series of "Enjoy the City Games, Enjoy Wuhu" sports promotional activities will be planned. These activities include a "Sports Expert" short video competition, a "Me and the City Games" sports photography competition, a "Enjoy Wuhu" City Games story writing competition, and a "Hand in Hand, "Torch into Wuhu, Towards Unbeatable" online torch relay, aiming to foster a positive atmosphere for full participation in promoting the City Games. During the Wuhu City Games, the city will also actively organize sports carnivals, bringing events into neighborhoods, scenic spots, and commercial districts. These events will empower cultural tourism, business, and other sectors, boosting consumption in hotels, restaurants, and tourism, and promoting economic and social development.

The emblem, anthem, and mascot for the 15th Wuhu City Games were officially unveiled that day. The emblem, "Leap," was designed by He Guohong. It features the traditional Chinese character "蕪" (蕪) in calligraphy, depicting a running figure with vigorous brushstrokes, embodying the athletes' fighting spirit. The wavy lines below symbolize Wuhu's "River City" character, signifying universal sports and healthy living. The anthem, "Let Love Ignite the Flame," was composed by Xiao Yingze and Duan Tianwen, with lyrics and music by Xiao Yingze. The song is uplifting and incorporates pop elements, featuring a male and female lead vocalist and chorus. The lyrics embody the Olympic spirit and the Games' philosophy of "green, vibrant, joyful, and shared," while also echoing Wuhu's achievements in developing its "Six Cities" initiative and conveying the vision of "connecting hearts and hands to build a shared home." The mascot "Xiong Jianjian" is based on the "Jiuzi Bird" and is designed with sports elements: the feathers on its head are flame-shaped, symbolizing passion and vitality; it wears a sportswear printed with the club's emblem and holds a torch-shaped prop; its overall image is one of holding its head high and chest out, with a vigorous stride, echoing the name "Xiong Jianjian" and showing the positive and progressive spirit of the people of Wuhu.