Hundreds of Tsinghua University freshmen participated in a bare-foot sports meeting on Sunday - in an effort to toughen them up - reports Beijing Morning Post.

Most of their students are the only child in their families and a little hardship will do them good, believes the university, which has been holding the meet for years.

"We tested the physical capacity of freshmen and found 70 per cent did not meet the standards," said Chen Weiqiang, the dean of the university's sports department.

"My first-time running barefooted. It's fun," said Xiao Liguang, a business major who took part in the 100-metre race.

(China Daily HongKong Edition 10/15/2002)