On September 27, the 21st Sports Meet of Jilin International Studies University (JISU) officially kicked off at the school’s stadium which was filled with passionate and joyful cheers from the high-spirited crowd.
The national flag team and flower team started off the opening parade. Under the national flag, the flowers and the smiley-faced students holding them were even more charming. The members of the knife flag team and color flag team were full of positivity and energy. The school flag and badge, carried by students, were proudly displayed, followed by the Gun Team made of all freshmen. The parade showcased the creativity, passion, and discipline of the great students at JISU.
The International Students Team from the School of International Exchange
International Teachers
All teams, including referees, faculty and staff, international teachers, athletes, postgraduates, and international students, walked into the stadium accompanied by a deafening applause and cheers from the crowd. All members dressed in uniform and strode in sync during parade.
On the rostrum, President Qin He and other leaders and guests waved their hands to the teams in tribute. All rose up in high spirits and the national anthem was played. The people saluted with eyes fixed on the rising national flag.
Liao Anyong, assistant to President Qin He, on behalf of the Organizing Committee, delivered an opening remark. In her remark, she laid out three expectations: 1) all attending athletes are expected to do their best to promote Olympic spirit and fine Chinese traditions in sports; 2) all referees and staff are expected to play their role well to ensure a level-playing field; 3) all teaching faculties and students are expected to be well engaged. Afterwards, an athlete and referee representative swore an oath to meet these expectations.
The 21st Sports Meet officially launched as the president declared the commencement. Her announcement was accompanied by a burst of colorful confetti, loud drumming, and an outpouring of thunderous cheers.
This Game was divided into two groups, the students group and the faculty and staff group, and overall 44 events took place. The whole meet was very successful thanks to the high spirits of the athletes and the hard work and preparation of all the members of the Organizing Committee.
Watermelon Race in Kangaroo Costumes
Fun Football Challenges
Many fun competitions were specially devised for teachers and students, bringing great joy to them. Teamwork was emphasized in fun activities such as a thirty-legged race, “riding on the same boat”, and so forth. Other programs of more amusing flavor were also added into this sports meet, such as funny soccer challenges, a watermelon race in kangaroo costume, crazy caterpillars, and the like. Those programs, a perfect mixture of entertainment and competition, were very amusing for the students while displaying collectivism and teamwork.
Skiing on dry land performed by 12 members of the skiing team grabbed everyone’s attention. The great strength and fast speed required for skiing were put on display through their performance. According to Zuo Jingjiang, director of gymnastics, the school skiing team was established in 2018. Equipment was specially purchased for skiing on dry land, creating a favorable environment for daily training. In recent years there have been outstanding performances by students in cross-country skiing contests at both national and provincial levels. One student was one of the national members who attended the 2018 World Skiing Contest for Undergraduates, which is a great inspiration to all teachers and students to join in ice- and snow-related sports. We will continue to work together and work harder to become even more competitive in future contests.
On top of various sport events, wonderful singing and dancing programs were performed by students, including ethnic dances, modern dance, exotic dance, resulting in a cultural feast for all spectators.
It is worth noting that the celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China is the theme of this year’s sports meet. Both the group dance performers and cheering teams in the audience area were immersed in the festivity of celebrating this special occasion for our motherland. “Me and My Motherland”, a group dance performed by over 200 freshmen, awed the crowd. The sincerest wishes went to our motherland with the waving of national flags by tens of thousands of teachers and students singing together.
During the event, President Qin He and other school leaders walked around the auditorium to send their greetings to the students. Showered with cheers from students, President Qin He smiled and waved and gave a thumbs-up from time to time to show her approval and cheer the students on.
