As the biggest ever in the history of the quadrennial event, the 13th Chinese National Games kicked off in Tianjin last Sunday.

The event, inaugurated in 1959, is billed as China's mini-Olympics, and features 417 events across 33 sports for professional athletes, and 126 disciplines in 19 mass programs.

The National Games mark historic milestone in China's sports reform. You definitely can’t miss it!

20,341 athletes

A total of 20,341 athletes, 12,721 professional and 7,620 amateur, including eight overseas athletes of Chinese heritage, have confirmed their participation.

They represent 38 delegations, including almost all of China's provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions, the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, and sports associations from various trades.

As many as 3,654 referees officiate in the 13th Games. A total of 58 foreign referees have been invited to officiate in 11 sports including handball.

Volunteers: 17,000

Around 17,000 college students work as volunteers during the Aug. 27-Sept. 8 competitions of the National Games.

Venues: 47

There are a total of 47 venues for the Aug. 27-Sept. 8 competition in Tianjin, including 21 newly-built and 15 renovated. Ten of the 47 competition venues are located in colleges and universities.