China will send 411 student-athletes to the upcoming International University Sports Federation (FISU) Summer World University Games in Chengdu as part of a delegation of over 700 members. 

The figure, which was confirmed as the Chinese delegation was unveiled on Wednesday, is a notable rise from previous Games as 198 Chinese athletes participated in Naples in 2019. 

The Chinese team, which consists of 205 female student-athletes, is scheduled to compete across 18 sports at the biennial event, which will take place from July 28 to August 8 in the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province. 

Impressively, 387 of them will make their Universiade debut, while 344 will represent China for the first time in a major tournament. It's also worth noting that 34 have participated in the Olympic Games, bringing a wealth of experience to the delegation.

Originally scheduled to be held in 2021, the Games were postponed twice due to COVID-19 restrictions.

In light of the pandemic's impact on student-athletes' participation, FISU has taken steps to make the Games more accessible by relaxing the eligibility criteria. One such measure is an increase in the age range for participation, which has been extended from 18 to 25 years old to 18 to 27 years old.

Chengdu has constructed 13 new venues and facilities while renovating 36 existing ones for the 31st World University Games as it gears up to become the third city on the Chinese mainland to host the grand gathering of student-athletes, following Beijing in 2001 and Shenzhen in 2011. 

"Chengdu is truly ready, and the organizing committee has done everything possible to welcome athletes from around the world," said acting FISU President Leonz Eder.  

"I hope that as many student-athletes as possible will come to Chengdu to compete and meet each other... Personally, I'm more than convinced that Chengdu is ready to host a great Games."