Ten cycling teams of college students from around the country had set off on a tour to promote the Universiade, a press conference was told July 14.

Carrying Universiade torches, the young cyclists would cover most provinces and cities in the country.

"The cycling journey is aimed at promoting the environmentally friendly and economical concept of the Games," said Zang Chen, director of the torch relay command department of the Games organizing committee.

Led by Chen Yousheng, a torchbearer at the Guangzhou Asian Para Games, nine disabled athletes formed one of the teams.

The team was scheduled to cover the coastal cities of Shanghai, Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, Xiamen in Fujian province, and Shantou and Shenzhen in Guangdong province, visiting institutions for the disabled.

The tour is scheduled to end Aug. 9, two days before the opening of the Games.

A total of 5.25 million people had joined the virtual torch relay as torchbearers and cheerleaders by 9:30 a.m. July 13.