Acting Shenzhen Mayor Wang Rong waves the flag of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) during the closing ceremony of the 25th Universiade in Belgrade, capital of Serbia, July 12, 2009. [Xinhua/Wu Wei]

Acting Shenzhen Mayor Wang Rong received the Universiade flag from George E. Killian, president of the International University Sports Federation at the closing ceremony of the 25th Universiade in Belgrade, Serbia, on Sunday.

Wang said the southern Chinese city is preparing to host the international sports event in 2011.

Traditional Chinese folk music, including "Jasmine Flower" and the Guangdong song "Stepping High," were staged at a special 20-minute session for Shenzhen as a display of cultural variety.

Killian said the World University Games in Belgrade had been a tremendous success but he expects an even better Universiade in Shenzhen in two years time.

The final overall medals table of the 25th Universiade read Russia on 27 golds, followed by China on 22 and South Korea on 21. Japan was fourth on 20 golds but had the second largest number of medals - 73.

China, who only brought a small part of its top athletes to Belgrade, could be content with a runner-up finish in the gold medal standings afterreaping 22 golds, 21 silvers and 15 bronzes.

"We have performed better than what we expected," said a Chinese delegation official. "This is not our best team."

Among China's 22 gold medals were a sprinkling of their top performers.

The Chinese team's star was Beijing Olympic champion Jiang Yuyuan, who claimed three golds in artistic gymnastics.

Reigning Olympic champion Evgeniya Kanaeva emerged as the most decorated athlete at the biennial sports gala as she took five gold medals in rhythmic gymnastics.

The athletics program was less competitive without the entry of a number of leading nations like the United States, Britain, Jamaica and Kenya.

Nevertheless in few events there was a world class participation, like Olympic champion Nelson Eovra in triple jump and Ariane Friedrich in the high jump.The Japanese swim team, which boasts of world record holder Sakai Shiho and Asian Games champion Ryosuke Irie, and the U.S. dominated the pool as they won 10 gold medals apiece in the pool.

(China Daily July 15, 2009)