Wuhan Military World Games set to leave a rich legacy

Message of peace

Italian archer Roberto Punzo, who had lost walking ability due to spinal cord injury in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in 2006, said that as a soldier with disability, he longed for peace more than anyone else and that soldiers are supposed to maintain peace, but not to bring wars.

"This is my understanding of the message carried by the Military World Games," he added.

Herve Piccirillo (L), president of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), lights the torch during the 7th CISM Military World Games Torch Relay in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei province, Oct. 16, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]

Peace and friendship are the words that came to officials and athletes when they described this year's Games.

"It is an opportunity to pass messages of friendship and peace, which will be relayed in these 109 countries, even elsewhere," said Piccirillo. "So, there is an intangible heritage of values."

Piccirillo believes that the CISM made a wise and meaningful decision to choose China as the host of the 7th World Military Games in 2015. "We made the decision because of the great contribution that China had made to the peace of the world and the country's willingness to spread friendship through sports," he added.

"The Chinese soldiers have shown great strength and abilities through the medals that they won. Hopefully, China can make a greater contribution to world sports and world peace in the future," said CISM secretary-general Mamby Koita.

Global profile

Located at the conjunction of the Yangtze and Han rivers in China's central heartland, Wuhan is using sports as a way to put itself on the global map.

Wuhan, traditionally known as the 'Oriental Chicago', played an important role in China's economic and cultural history due to its central location. Now the city of 10 million is becoming an economic powerhouse, thanks to its fast-growing automotive industry, high-tech industries and trade links.

Photo taken on Sept. 30, 2019 shows the light show in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Economic and social progress has enabled Wuhan to host top-level global sports gatherings such as the Military World Games and the Wuhan Open, a WTA Premier 5 event, said Zhu Jianbin, chairman of the Wuhan Sports Development Investment Company.

He believes these sports events will, in turn, help Wuhan attract global attention and boost its internationalization drive.

Before the Military World Games opened, mayors of 15 cities worldwide had sent greetings and well wishes to Wuhan. Among them, Zsolt Borkai, mayor of Gyor, Hungary said: "As a former soldier and Olympic champion, I'm aware of what this event means for a city... and what kind of message it sends to the sports world and the athletes."

Pol. Gen. Aswin Kwanmuang, governor of Bangkok, said he was confident that the Military World Games would contribute to Wuhan's "strong status as a hub for international events and lively cultural scenes."