Chinese Olympians get torch relay for Chengdu World Games underway

The torch relay for the 12th World Games got underway on Saturday at the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang, Sichuan province. It is the first torch relay in World Games history.

Opening in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, on August 7 and running until August 17, the 2025 World Games will draw thousands of athletes from around the world to compete in 35 sports.

The torch, named Zhumeng, meaning "chasing dreams", incorporates elements of Sichuan's cultural heritage and natural beauty. According to its designers, the torch's shape is inspired by bamboo, which is native to Sichuan, and the Grand Bronze Standing Figure unearthed at the Sanxingdui archaeological site.

After the flame was collected at the Sanxingdui Museum, torchbearers, including Paris Olympic champions Huang Zhangjiayang and Ma Long, passed on the torch during the first leg of the relay.

Huang, the first torchbearer and a rhythmic gymnastics athlete, said she felt extremely honored and proud to participate in the relay.

"Through this torch relay, I hope more people can learn about my hometown of Chengdu and the time-honored history of China," she said.

The torch relay is set for six locations across three cities in Sichuan — Deyang, Chengdu and Meishan — covering a total distance of 11 kilometers, with 120 torchbearers participating.

The other five stops are the Chengdu Jinsha Site Museum, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the Chengdu Wuhou Shrine, the Meishan San Su Shrine Museum and Xinglong Lake Wetland Park.

The World Games, organized by the International World Games Association, is a multi-sport event held every four years in the year following the Summer Olympics. It primarily features competitions not seen in the Olympic Games, including American football and flying disc.