World University Games moved to 2022

BEIJING: The 2021 World University Games, which were to commence on August 18 this year in the Chinese city of Chengdu, have been moved to 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The postponement comes after the Asian Beach Games, scheduled to start on Friday in another Chinese city, Sanya, were postponed indefinitely for a second time in December last year.

Top athlete Dutee Chand had become the first Indian woman sprinter to win gold at the 2019 edition of the World Universiade held in Naples, when she clinched the 100m title. Rifle shooter Elavenil Valarivan too had won silver in the 2019 edition. During the 2011 World University Games in China, India's Harveen Srao had won gold in women's 10 metre air pistol.

The International University Sports Federation (FISU) took the decision "to protect the safety and health of all people involved including athletes and the citizens".

FISU took note of the fact that thousands of students had been unable to train due to extended closure of sports facilities in their respective universities and campuses. IANS

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