Wuhan 2019 7th CISM Military World Games Bids Adieu in Style
WUHAN (CHN) – On 27 October, the 10-day sporting extravaganza at the 7th CISM Military World Summer Games (CWG) in the Chinese city of Wuhan ended as it had started: with a riveting show, spellbinding the full-capacity crowd at the Wuhan Sports Centre (Gymnasium) once again.
The 7th CISM CWG belongs to the sport history books now. Some 7,991 athletes from 109 countries competed in 32 sports, pocketing no less than 1,021 medals. Host nation China led by final medal tally with 239 medals (133 gold, 64 silver, and 42 bronze), trailed by Russia (total: 161) and Brazil (88), while France (57) and Poland (60) completed the top five.
At the Closing Ceremony, it was the Games mascot, Bingbing, who took the audience to a walk down memory lane, going back in time to all the previous editions of the CISM CWG, finding his fellow mascots from the bygone years. Dancing and prancing around, even playing soccer with the 2011 Rio CISM CWG mascot, Bingbing enlivened the stadium in the company of the other mascots.
The 3-D visuals were stunning once again, depicting space travel to historical China and then back to the modern times with Wuhan’s popular Jiqing Street.
CISM President Hervé Piccirillo underscored the commendable work by the Wuhan government in ensuring state-of-the-art sports facilities and a well-equipped Athletes Village were available for the delivery of a high-quality Military World Summer Games.
"The Athletes’ Village represents the effectiveness of the city government's effort to balance urban development and environmental protection," Piccirillo said. "The multiple sports venues built in line with the highest standards in the world can serve any future international sports event that Wuhan may step up to host.”
Piccirillo added: "I would like to thank the governments of China, Hubei province, and Wuhan for enabling us all, abled and disabled, to share the common value of the military under the banner of inclusiveness, equality, universal love and sharing, and this is the greatest success of the event. All these will not have been possible without the conscientious effort of the Organizing Committee. The volunteers have made our stay in Wuhan better, easier and more convenient."
Sun Chunlan, the SUMOC chairwoman and Chinese vice-premier, congratulated the athletes, organisers, heads of delegations, and volunteers for their contribution towards delivering a record-breaking CISM Military World Summer Games.
“Ten days ago here in Wuhan, President Xi Jinping announced the opening of the CISM World Military Games,” Chunlan said. “Thereafter, we have experienced a spectacular, unforgettable and successful Games and jubilant celebrations for sharing friendship and promoting piece.”
"This is a fantastic and fruitful Games. During the 10-day competition of 329 disciplines, athletes have broken seven World Records and 85 Military World Records, ultimately pushing up the Games to a new height. It’s a great event of honor and sportsmanship with staunch perseverance from participating athletes."
After General Xu Qiliang officially closed the Games; the 7th CISM CWG cauldron was extinguished in as innovative a manner as it was lit, with a soldier collecting some water from the burning fountain in an enclosed vase before putting the lid back on it.
When the CISM flag was lowered and handed over to the CISM President, all the actors and participants of the Closing Ceremony entered the central arena to sing the Games’ theme song in unison, marking the end of the grand 7th CISM CWG.
Xiexie, Wuhan!
(Source : CISM Media and Communication Department – Journalists: Ms. Annesha Gosh and Mr. Christian Pierre – Pictures: Xinhua Info)
