2025 World Games torch relay begins in Sichuan, SW China

The torch relay for the 2025 World Games began on Saturday in southwest China's Sichuan Province, with the flame set to be carried through three cities: Chengdu, Deyang and Meishan.

A flame-lighting and relay launch ceremony was held at the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City in the morning. The relay was then initiated by Huang Zhangjiayang, a rhythmic gymnast from Sichuan who, along with her teammates, won China's first Olympic group all-around gold medal in Paris in 2024.

The torch, named "Zhumeng" – symbolizing the pursuit of dreams – echoes the torch relay slogan, "Lighting Dreams with the World Games." It has arrived at the Jinsha Site Museum. Fifteen torchbearers from various fields, including Olympic gymnastics champion Zou Jingyuan, renowned vlogger Li Ziqi, and Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar exploration project, are set to participate in the relay at this station.

The torch will then be carried to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the Wuhou Shrine, the San Su Shrine and Xinglong Lake Wetland Park, covering a total distance of roughly 11 kilometers with 120 torchbearers taking part.

The 2025 World Games, scheduled from August 7 to 17, will feature 255 events across 60 disciplines in 34 sports.