The 24th Winter Universiade is coming to a close on Saturday. Even though the event has lasted only eleven days, the athletes say they've been impressed by the well organized events, up-scale venues and facilities, helpful volunteers and warm Harbin people. Let's take a closer look with Liu Min.

Reporter:

The committee members of the International University Sports Federation still remember the day in 2005 when the city of Harbin beat the city of Erzurum in Turkey for the right to host the 2009 Winter Universiade.

After more than four years of preparation the people in the ice city have now almost finished their mission and left the athletes and spectators from all over the world with pleasant memories.

The president of the FISU, George Killian says he believes China is also capable of hosting a successful Winter Olympics.

"Because you have produced a wonderful competition, and wonderful venues and everybody seems to be happy. It's outstanding and it's superb. The whole complete Winter Universiade is the best we have ever had."

This Winter Universiade features 81 events across 12 sports, including events like Speed Skating, Figure Skating, Ski Jumping, and Alpine Skiing.

This year saw the most events ever in the history of the Winter Universiade. 15 new events were introduced for this year's event. Even though organizers lacked experience, through thorough preparation, all of these events ran smoothly. Kairis Ulp is from the FISU Executive Committee.

"In these 15 disciplines, China had no experiences in hosting the international winter competitions, you have done very well. As far as I have heard from the technique chairmen of FISU, the organizing committee has done very good job. For me, this is the most charming Winter Universiade that I have ever participated in."

Besides the good comments from the FISU officials, athletes from all over the world were also enthusiastic about the games.

What impressed the athletes most was the warmth of the Harbin people. The Short Track Speed Skater Fellpe Souza is the only athlete on behalf of his country Brazil and also the only athlete from South America. Even though he had no team-mates, he says he didn't feel lonely at all.

"The spectators were great. I felt like I was in Brazil. Because of the support I got from everyone, everyone made me feel like I was at home. So I am very honoured to have the support from the people of Harbin."

'Youth, Future, Ice and Snow' is the slogan of the 24th Winter Universiade, and the young people from all over the world have spent 11 days together in the ice city of Harbin. They say the city, the people and the venues here will leave them with precious memories.

Liu Min, CRI News, Harbin.