Beijing starts World University Games

Communist Party Secretary Jia Qinglin (right) holds up the torch at a World University Games ceremony

BEIJING, China -- Forget about the Olympic rings. This month the whole of Beijing is seeing stars in its eyes -- the logo for the Universiade Games.

The 21st University Games that started in Beijing on Thursday is China's first real test of its Olympic mettle.

Officials say the city and its universities have spent more than $120million on building and upgrading sports facilities while $88million has been ploughed into the athletes' village.

While the city had to battle Paris, Toronto and international human rights protesters to win the right to stage the Olympics, its Universiade bid was never in question -- there were no other contenders.

Since their founding in 1959, the Universiade games have produced 18 world records but have given host cities financial nightmares.

Liu Jingmin, Executive Vice President of the Universiade Organizing Committee, says the Games are the perfect testing ground for Beijing's readiness to host events like the Olympics.

"This Universiade is like a rehearsal for the Olympic Games, through hosting the Universiade, we want to acquaint ourselves with the norms and nature of international sporting events and accumulate experience ahead of the Olympics," said Liu.

Liu is confident that Beijing will impress the critics while admitting that the city still has a lot to learn.

"There are no major problems, what we're concerned about is that this is the first time that Beijng has hosted a world-level sporting event and we don't have enough experience or understanding of such events," said Liu.

Reuters contributed to this report.