Four years after winning the bid of hosting the 24th Winter Universiade, Harbin are now ready for the winter sports gala for the university students around the world.

Harbin, capital city of China's northeastern province Heilongjiang, won the bid to play host to the games on January 10, 2005. After four years of intense preparations, the organizers are now confident of hosting a successful Winter Universiade.

All the 47 sports and accommodating facilities for the games have completed constructing and renovating by the end of November, 2008. Among them, skating rinks, skiing courses and transportation networks have all been upgraded.

The 24th Winter Universiade, slated for February 18-28, features in 12 sports and 82 events and will attract some 2,100 athletes from 42 countries and regions.

Host China will send 198 athletes to the games, the largest ever Chinese delegation to a Winter Universiade. They will compete in 12 sports and 76 events.

China's medal hopes are in short course speedskating, speedskating, figure skating, freestyle skiing and women's ice hockey. Officials from the Chinese delegation revealed that with the home advantage, Chinese athletes are expected to win more medals than in Turin, Italy two years ago.

China won three gold, six silver and six bronze medals in Turin.

(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2009)