Performers, carrying the images of Chinese hurdler, Liu Xiang (R), volleyballer Zhao Ruirui (L), and Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo, march into the opening ceremony of the 8th National University Games on Monday, July 16, 2007. [Photo: Xinhua]

The 8th National University Games opened on Monday in Guangzhou, southern China's Guangdong Province.

6,000 athletes from 34 provinces, municipalities, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and Hong Kong and Macao, will compete for 225 gold medals at the Games, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Education, the General Administration of Sport, the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and the Guangdong provincial government.

A lecture on physical exercises in universities is to be held on the sideline of the Games.

Disabled gymnast Sang Lan (C) addresses the opening ceremony of the 8th National University Games on Monday, July 16, 2007. [Photo: Xinhua]

The 8th National University Games opened on Monday, July 16, 2007 in Guangzhou, southern China’s Guangdong Province. [Photo: Xinhua]