45th World Gymnastics Championships opens in Nanning

The FIG flag and oaths opening ceremony of the 45th Gymnastics World Championships is held at the Gymnasium of Guangxi Sports Center in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct 3, 2014. The 45th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships lasts from Oct 3 to 12 in Nanning. [Photo/Xinhua]

NANNING - The Nanning Gymnastics World Championships will be a record-breaking event with a total of 619 gymnasts from 73 countries and regions competing in 14 medal events.

With a total of 619 gymnasts to compete in Nanning, the 585-gymnast record set at the 2003 worlds in Anaheim has been beaten.

Nanning will also host some 650 photographers, written press and television journalists, this is a new record number in media presence covering gymnastics worlds.

Among the 619 gymnasts, there are 343 men and 276 women. The average age for males is 22.89 years, while for females it is 18.96 years, according to FIG statistics.

Logistically, organizers have rallied their efforts to outfit the entire city of three million in the event colors, creating hubs at strategic places throughout the city to map out an "Olympic" lane for officials and delegations.

Some 1,000 volunteers are working hard on the front lines of the Nanning organizing operation.

On the athletic front, all eyes are on the mano a mano being played out by Chinese and Japanese gymnasts, the former to win on their home turf, the latter in the hope of seeing Uchimura notch a fifth all-around consecutive win.