Chengdu had originally been due to host the first Summer edition of the FISU World University Games rebranded from the former name of the Universiade in 2021, but tough COVID-19 restrictions in China led to the multi-sport event twice being postponed.

This year's FISU Games had initially been due to take place in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, but these plans were suspended due to the war in Ukraine, allowing Chengdu to slot in as host.

Due to the delay to the staging of the event in Chengdu, FISU has increased the age limit for athletes from 25 to 27.

Approximately 9,500 athletes and officials from around 100 countries are expected to compete in Chengdu.

Hosts China are set to have one of the largest teams with 411 athletes, and aiming to build on the 22 golds at Naples 2019 which helped them finish third on the medals table.

Russian and Belarusian athletes are not among those competing.

Competition began today in archery and water polo and more than 1,000 volunteer service stations were put into use, with the Opening Ceremony due to take place tomorrow.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to be among those in attendance at the 40,000-seater Dong'an Lake Sports Park Stadium.

Other heads of state set to attend include Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Mauritanian President Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, Burundian leader Evariste Ndayishimiye, Fiji's Prime Minister Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Guyanese President Irfaan Aliamong.

FISU Acting President Leonz Eder praised the work of organisers to prepare the city for the FISU Games.

"Chengdu is truly ready, and the Organising Committee has done everything possible to welcome athletes from around the world," the Swiss official said, as reported by Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua.

A total of 269 medal events are set to feature across 18 sports from Saturday (July 29) until August 8, which is also the day of the Closing Ceremony.

Medals are set to be available in judo, shooting, taekwondo and wushu on Saturday.

Rowing, shooting and wushu are the three optional sports in addition to the 15 core sports on the programme.