Five-time Olympic diving champion Wu Minxia carried the Torch for the Chengdu 2021 Summer World University Games as it returned to the host city ©Chengdu 2021

China’s five-time Olympic diving champion Wu Minxia was the first Torchbearer when the Relay for the 31st International University Sports Federation (FISU) Chengdu 2021 World University Games returned to the hosting city of Chengdu, in the southwest of China's Sichuan Province.

After travelling to Beijing, Harbin, Shenzhen, Chongqing and Yibin, the Flame that will ignite proceedings was carried by a total of 93 Torchbearers from all walks of life.

They conveyed the Flame around three campuses in the city, which will light the main Cauldron of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) flagship event when it officially opens on July 28.

"I am very honoured to be part of it," said Wu.

"It is also a responsibility for me to carry on the spirit of sportsmanship and pass it on to others one by one."

Feng Zhe, double Olympic gymnastics gold medallist at London 2012, began the Chengdu 2021 Torch Relay as it travelled around Yinbin ©Chengdu 2021
Feng Zhe, double Olympic gymnastics gold medallist at London 2012, began the Chengdu 2021 Torch Relay as it travelled around Yinbin ©Chengdu 2021

Liu Jin, deputy secretary of the Organising Committee of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games said: "The Universiade Flame came to Sichuan University, marking the start of the journey in Chengdu.

"This is the promise of the youth, and also sending an important signal to show that Chengdu is welcoming all the young people from the world."

Chengdu is the third Chinese mainland city to host the biennial Summer University Games, following Beijing in 2001 and Shenzhen in 2011.

It retained its 2021 title even though it has twice been postponed due to COVID-19 complications.

Athletes from universities across the globe are expected to compete for 269 gold medals in 18 sports.

The fifth leg of the Relay in Yibin - in southwest China's Sichuan province - had coincided with the 30-day countdown to the Games.

The first Torchbearer of the day, setting off from Yibin University, was Feng Zhe, the London 2012 team and parallel bars gold medallist.

Among the 31 Torchbearers in Yibin, the youngest was 19-year-old Zhan Xiaoyu, a student from Sichuan Nursing Vocational College, while the oldest was 57-year-old Cai Lecai, secretary of the Party Committee at Yibin University.