BEIJING - Organizers of the 26th World University Games (Universiade) said on Friday that the event will lack fireworks and other grand displays traditionally associated with major sporting events, as they are aiming to make it a "green" competition.

Xu Qin, vice president and secretary-general of the event's organizing committee briefs a press conference on the preparation work for Universiade in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong province, July 22, 2011. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Various measures have been taken during the preparation of the Universiade to ensure that the event, which will be held in south China's city of Shenzhen starting from August 12, will be environment friendly, Xu Qin, vice president and secretary-general of the event's organizing committee, said at a press conference.

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Xu, who is also the mayor of Shenzhen, said the event's opening ceremony will emphasize the theme of "the return of sports."

"No fireworks displays will be staged, and no stars or celebrities will appear at the opening ceremony," Xu said at the press conference.

Xu said that the stage used during the opening ceremony is made of recycled plastic bottles. He also noted that 65 percent of the event's venues have been remodeled or based on existing facilities in order to save costs and reduce the event's environmental impact.

The newly built Universiade Village and Universiade Center will feature new energy-saving technologies and materials, Xu added.

This environmentally friendly approach will be utilized not only within the Universiade, but also in the city of Shenzhen itself. Xu said the municipal government will put 2,011 alternative-energy vehicles on the city's streets during the 12-day event. The municipal government has also opened five new subway lines in order to lower carbon emissions.

The city has planted over 1.28 million trees since winning the right to host the event in 2007, Xu said.

About 13,000 athletes and sports officials from 180 countries and regions are scheduled to participate in the event, Hao Ping, vice minister of education, said at the press conference.

China will send a delegation of 804 people, including 505 athletes, to compete in the event, Hao said.