THE Shenzhen delegation which spearheaded the city’s successful bid to host the 2011 Universiade left Turin on Thursday.

    The delegation received congratulations from State Councilor Chen Zhili and the Chinese Ministry of Education on Wednesday following the victory.

    Mayor Xu Zongheng left the northern Italian city Wednesday for an urgent meeting in Beijing. He paid a visit to the FISU executive committee to thank committee members before he left.

    “I thank you all for your support to our bid,” the mayor said. “Trust me. Shenzhen is the right choice for the 2011 Universiade. We will do our best to organize the event.”

    In a suite in Jolly Ambasciatori Hotel in downtown Turin, Xu met FISU president George E. Killian. “I know why you are leaving in such a hurry,” Killian joked before the mayor could explain, “because you are waiting to participate in a grand parade back home.”

    “Actually my citizens already had a grand parade this morning, in taxis and on bicycles. They also spent a sleepless night watching TV live broadcast and participating in rave parties,” the mayor replied.

    The mayor also visited the president of the Chinese University Sports Association Zhang Xinsheng who is a member of the FISU executive committee. Zhang injured his spine in an accident during a working visit to the northern Chinese city of Harbin last month, but insisted on attending the FISU executive committee conference and did his best to support Shenzhen’s bid.

    The city also organized a thank-you lunch for the Turin city government and the overseas Chinese people who extended a helping hand to Shenzhen’s bid.

    Close competition

    “It took four rounds of votes to decide on the winner,” a FISU official who refused to give his name disclosed. “It was a really very close competition.”

    “I’ve never been to China,” said FISU executive committee auditor Adrian Gagea. “But your presentations deeply impressed me. I’m fully convinced that Shenzhen can hold a good Universiade, especially after I learned that your city has more than 530,000 volunteers. No other Chinese city could have such a big number of volunteer population except like in the Chinese capital of Beijing.”

    Killian broke his silence over his favorite choice. “I could not give you any suggestions on organizing the event after visits to Shenzhen. I’ve seen your sports facilities that are ready for use. I’ve heard your plans for more sports venues. And I’ve been impressed by the passion of your people. I’ve made quite many good friends in your city, whose integrity has convinced me that they are responsible people and they will fulfill the commitment to sponsor the most successful Universiade in history,” Killian said at a news conference after the Shenzhen won the right to host the 2011 edition.

    Members of the Shenzhen delegation shouted “Shenzhen” in chorus and waved the Chinese national flag and the FISU flag after the announcement at Royal Theater in Turin at 2:38 a.m. Wednesday Beijing Time.

    Mayor Xu could not hold back his tears. “I was so excited that I shouted at the extreme of my voice along with others,” he said.