Tibet University holds 2015 track and field competition: a foreign student's perspective
On May 7, Tibet University held the opening ceremonies for the 2015 track and field competition. All of the students and faculty of Tibet University gathered in the rain on the New Campus for the first of three days'events.
The opening ceremonies began with each department entering the stadium one after another, wearing special uniforms and marching in unison. The foreign students department was one of the last to go, and we marched in wearing matching TU sweatshirts and hats, waving flags from our respective countries.
Students and faculty of Tibet University enter the stadium at the Tibet University New Campus during the opening ceremonies of the 2015 track and field competition. [Photo/Sharla Ngayodan]
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After all the teams were introduced, the Chinese flag was raised while the national anthem played. There were several student group dance performances, one in which students were danced in various ethnic minority costumes, and another in which girls in green track suits emulated grass blowing in the wind while boys dribbled footballs around them.
Student groups perform dance numbers at the opening ceremonies of the 2015 Tibet University track and field competition. [Photo/Sharla Ngayodan]
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After the performances, it was time to start the sports competitions. Luckily, the rain stopped and the sun began to come out, drying the track just in time for the events. The first one of the day was a 60-meter race in which faculty members had to balance tennis balls on badminton racquets while they ran. Students and other faculty watching from the sidelines cheered wildly for their teachers and colleagues, everyone, including the participants, laughing throughout the race. It set the spirited and joyous tone that would be felt throughout the whole day.
Student events from the first day included the men and women's 100-meter dash, the 400-meter race, long jump, and triple jump. The atmosphere was electric, with everyone cheering on classmates and friends. Each participant was well supported by friends and fellow competitors, and while each person strived to do their best, the spirit of friendly competition and good sportsmanship never wavered. It truly seemed that everyone, from participants to spectators, was simply there to have fun.
Racers set off at the sound of the starting gun for the men's 100-meter dash. [Photo/Sharla Ngayodan]
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One particular touching scene was during each 400-meter race: when a competitor reached the final stretch, several classmates would cheer loudly and run alongside them till the end. When they crossed the finished line, after running hard all the way around the track, friends and other spectators immediately rushed to their side to help support the runner off the track if they needed it. It was these kind of actions that embodied the spirit of the competition, and left an endearing impression in the minds of all of us who participated in and watched the events.
A faculty competitor participates in the long jump at the 2015 Tibet University track and field competition. [Photo/Sharla Ngayodan]
After a successful opening ceremonies and first day of competition, there was still one more day of sports events and the closing ceremonies to look forward to.
Tibet University may be divided between two campuses, the Old and the New, but for three days, the whole university community came together to celebrate competition, diversity, sportsmanship, and friendship. Best of luck to all the competitors in all the events!