This photo taken on July 23, 2023 shows a countdown clock for the Chengdu Universiade in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

CHENGDU - The 31st FISU World University Games, which was postponed twice due to COVID-19 concerns, is set to open on Friday in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan province.

Chengdu will become the third city in the Chinese mainland to host the biennial Summer Universiade, following Beijing in 2001 and Shenzhen in 2011.

The Universiade, which runs from July 28 to Aug 8, will feature 269 events across 18 sports. In addition to 15 mandatory sports, it also includes three optional sports - rowing, shooting, and Wushu.

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China's delegation for the Chengdu Universiade comprises over 700 members, including 411 athletes from over 100 universities across the country who will compete in all the sports.

A flag-raising ceremony is held on July 22, 2023 in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, during the opening of the games village for the Chengdu FISU World University Games. Located on the campus of Chengdu University, the village will host athletes and team officials during the event, which starts on July 28 and runs through Aug 8. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

In order to minimize the impact of the pandemic and guarantee participation of students, FISU raised the maximum age of participants from 25 to 27.

Additionally, a rule that only current students and those who have graduated within one year can participate was also relaxed, allowing for the participation of students who graduated in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

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Chengdu has completed the construction, renovation, and expansion of 49 venues and facilities, which boast top-tier infrastructure and service.

Tourists pose for photos with Rongbao, mascot of the Chengdu Universiade, in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province, July 19, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The opening ceremony will take place in the Dong'an Lake Sports Park on Friday evening.

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Known as the hometown of giant pandas, Chengdu has also laid on a series of sporting and cultural activities involving giant pandas and Sichuan Opera.

The Universiade is a celebration of international university sports and culture, and brings together thousands of student-athletes, making it one of the world's largest multi-sport events.