A TEACHER in Shenzhen is about to embark on a tour of Asia and Europe by cycle with three other people, seeking to promote Shenzhen's bid to host the 26th World University Games (Universiade) in 2011.

Lin Mingwei, a physical education teacher with Bao'an Middle School, will depart today from Shenzhen with his two teammates and join a cycling fanatic in Beijing before setting out for their 4,800-km ride through 11 countries in Asia and Europe on July 18.

Today is the fifth anniversary of Beijing's successful bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Lin's journey for Shenzhen's Universiade bid began in 2004 when he cycled from Beijing to Paris. Last year, Lin, 32, pedaled across Australia within 25 days, bringing back 4,800 signatures for the city's bid for the biennial event.

"This year, my target rises to 5,000 kilometers and 11 countries," Lin told the Shenzhen Daily.

The 45-day journey will start from Stockholm, cover Berlin, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Athens, Madrid, Lisbon, Istanbul and end in Ankara.

"We previously planned to ride through North America this summer," Lin said. However, Shenzhen Vice Mayor Liang Daoxing, also vice director of the municipal Universiade bidding committee, suggested that they cycle through Europe first.

"Because a large number of committee members for the International University Sports Federation (FISU), which has the final say on which city will host the game, live in Europe," Lin said.

Lin said he planned to visit 10 members of the committee of the FISU to demonstrate Shenzhen's will and potential to host the event.

The team will also take a 20.11-meter-long piece of cloth with it, symbolizing the 2011 Universiade, which depicts a view of the city.

"We will invite committee members and local people who support the city's bid to sign on the roll," Lin said.

The bicycle trip is jointly sponsored by the Shenzhen Municipal Government, a local bicycle company and the Bao'an District Government which provided some 100,000 yuan (US$12,500) for the tour.

People who want to know more about the trip can visit the Web site www.linmingwei.com. Lin also invited Shenzheners to see the cyclists off at Shenzhen University today at 10 a.m.

Shenzhen's formal bid for the 2011 Universiade was submitted to the FISU in Brussels in late June by a delegation from the municipal government.

It's the nation's latest campaign to host a significant international sports event after Beijing and Harbin successfully won the rights to hold the 2008 Olympic Games and 2009 Winter Universiade respectively.

If Shenzhen wins, it'll become the second Chinese city to hold the Universiade after Beijing in 2001.

"This year, my target rises to 5,000 kilometers and 11 countries," Lin told the Shenzhen Daily.

The 45-day journey will start from Stockholm, cover Berlin, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Athens, Madrid, Lisbon, Istanbul and end in Ankara.

"We previously planned to ride through North America this summer," Lin said. However, Shenzhen Vice Mayor Liang Daoxing, also vice director of the municipal Universiade bidding committee, suggested that they cycle through Europe first.

"Because a large number of committee members for the International University Sports Federation (FISU), which has the final say on which city will host the game, live in Europe," Lin said.

Lin said he planned to visit 10 members of the committee of the FISU to demonstrate Shenzhen's will and potential to host the event.

The team will also take a 20.11-meter-long piece of cloth with it, symbolizing the 2011 Universiade, which depicts a view of the city.

"We will invite committee members and local people who support the city's bid to sign on the roll," Lin said.

The bicycle trip is jointly sponsored by the Shenzhen Municipal Government, a local bicycle company and the Bao'an District Government which provided some 100,000 yuan (US$12,500) for the tour.

People who want to know more about the trip can visit the Web site www.linmingwei.com. Lin also invited Shenzheners to see the cyclists off at Shenzhen University today at 10 a.m.

Shenzhen's formal bid for the 2011 Universiade was submitted to the FISU in Brussels in late June by a delegation from the municipal government.

It's the nation's latest campaign to host a significant international sports event after Beijing and Harbin successfully won the rights to hold the 2008 Olympic Games and 2009 Winter Universiade respectively.

If Shenzhen wins, it'll become the second Chinese city to hold the Universiade after Beijing in 2001.

Editor: Wing