Beneath a sunny blue sky in the Zijing playground, students bustled about, visiting booths set up by different student sports associations and trying out various winter sports activities.

The mood was upbeat at the playground as students celebrated the 6th Tsinghua Student Associations Carnival held to mark the Ma Yuehan Day.

A pioneer of modern Chinese sports, Ma Yuehan was a professor of physical education at Tsinghua. During his tenure, he played an instrumental role in instilling a strong sporting culture at Tsinghua. Every year around this time of the year, an array of sports events like the Carnival are held at Tsinghua in his honor.

With just over a year left for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the carnival also aimed at building excitement among students towards the games, held once every four years. The sports associations offered more than 30 popular winter sports activities, including curling and ice hockey.

Many students were seen taking part in the sports activities screaming in excitement, with some saying it was their first time to try out winter sports. 

An exhibition about the Winter Olympics was held at the Carnival for the students to know more about the games. At the same time, students also actively participated in the quiz about the Winter Olympics.

Likewise, team sports like volleyball and shuttlecock were held on the playground, attracting crowds of fascinated onlookers.

Apart from the regular sports, high-tech games like VR skiing were also part of this year’s carnival, offering an unprecedented VR experience for the students.

The carnival and the wide student participation exhibited the common sports spirit among Tsinghua people. Moreover, it reflects students’ expectations toward the Winter Olympics, which will be held in February 2022.

Writer & Photographer: Dong Siqin, Shi Jiadong

Editors: Liu shutian, Sangeet Sangroula