Peking University, September 8, 2024: The Wu-si Sports Center at Peking University (PKU) was abuzz with electricity on the evening of Sept. 7, 2024. The source of excitement? A star-studded group of four Paris Olympic champions: Ma Long, Pan Zhanle, Chen Meng, and Feng Yu. 


They made a surprise visit to participate in the 2024 PKU First Run, an annual tradition that welcomes new students and embodies the University's enthusiasm for sports.

The students and Olympic champions were joined by Gao Zhidan, director of China's General Administration of Sport and president of the Chinese Olympic Committee, and School leaders, including PKU Council Chair Hao Ping and President Gong Qihuang.  


Before the exhilarating run, the Olympic champions offered words of encouragement to the students. Ma Long, the table tennis legend and flag bearer for Team China at the Paris Olympics, expressed his joy of returning to PKU and encouraged the new students to chase their dreams while keeping themselves grounded.


Adding to the excitement, Pan Zhanle, the rising star of swimming fresh from breaking world records at the Paris Olympics, charmed the students with an ancient Chinese proverb: "A long journey can be completed only by taking one step at a time; an ocean can be filled only by embracing one stream at a time." 


Feng Yu, the figure swimming champion and flag bearer for Team China at the Paris Olympics, expressed her hopes for the students and the top athletes alike to embark on a new beginning with courage and determination to face every challenge, never stop learning, and never give up. 


Chen Meng, the two-time Olympic table tennis singles gold medallist, extended her wishes to the new students, hoping they would embark on their dream journey at PKU and work together toward a bright future. With an infectious smile, she added, "Together, let's strive for the better."



The Olympic champions also joined the enthusiastic freshmen and PKU School leaders in a lively warm-up session before the run, stretching and dancing to the music. With the starting pistol fired, the students kick-started their first run of the semester, with the national athletes leading the charge. 

The evening air was fueled with adrenaline and laughter, showcasing PKUers’ deep passion for sports and a hearty welcome to the new semester.



The Olympic champions’ presence not only provided a motivational boost to the freshmen but also served as a testament to the University's commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and perseverance. The evening was a vibrant celebration of youth, ambition, and the PKU spirit, with these esteemed athletes leading and setting the tone for a semester filled with promise and potential.
 

Written by: Chen Chuyun
Edited by: Wang Jia En
Photos by: Office of Student Affairs; Li Xianghua, Song Mengli, Yan Linlin, Huang Xinru, Zheng Tao, Zhu Chengxuan, Lu Zan, Yang Mo, Liu Junchi
Video by: Zheng Zibo