In September 2001, shortly after its successful bidding, Beijing successfully hosted the 21st University Games. It was the first time a Chinese city had hosted international comprehensive games. In spite of lack of experience, Beijing fulfilled its promise to �make the Beijing Universiade the best in its history� with its earnest, determination, confidence and persistent efforts.
The newly built Universiade Village covers a total floorspace of 220,000 sq m, with 38,000 star-grade rooms, and is fully equipped with various facilities including broadband, which allow over 10,000 people to dine and recreate in the village. The 21st Universiade created a number of records in the Universiade history: the largest number of participating states and regions, with 169 delegations, seven more than the record kept by the 1995 Fukuoka (Japan) Universiade; the largest number of participants, with more than 6,800 athletes, coaches and officials, 500 more than the last Las Palmas (Spain) Universiade; the largest number of journalists and judges; the most enthusiastic audience; the highest box-office income, which was 21 million yuan; the longest torch relay route, which was over 20,000 km, and participated by nearly 300,000 students from over 200 colleges and universities, the largest number ever.
