As the old saying puts it, “no pains, no gains”. Only by facing and overcoming difficulties in our life bravely can we grow up happily and live a fulfilling life.
On Feb 27th, 2023, Wu Dajing , China’s first man to win Olympic gold on ice came to RUC for the “Youth & Pioneer” Sharing Session in which he engaged in a heated discussion with teachers and students of RUC.
In fact，RUCer have long been known by many ice and snow athletes. Early in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, many teachers and students from RUC have volunteered to worked at the sporting competition so as to ensure the smooth functioning of the grand event.
On Feb 5th, 2022, China’s Olympic delegation claimed China’s first gold medal in the short-track speed skating 2,000m mixed team relay event at Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing. The delegation consists of Qu Chunyu, Fan Kexin, Zhang Yuting, Wu Dajing and Ren Ziwei.
As a major source of student volunteers for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, RUC students in different positions witnessed the birth of the first gold medal with their own eyes.
Students were listening to Wu’s speech carefully and recording this precious moment!
Before the event, Wangyi, Vice President of Renmin University of China, met with the gold medalist.
During the sharing session, an appointment letter was offered to WU by Ding Liting, Secretary of RUC Youth League Committee, thus giving him a new identity: RUC Youth Development Mentor. “Here I am! Your new mentor” exclaimed Wu excitedly.
Then came Wu Dajing‘s story with 3 Olympic Games from Sochi to China. Below are excerpts from his speech.
Wu Dajing and Olympic Games
Hello everyone, I am short track speed skater Wu Dajing. I am very happy to come to RUC today and share with you my Winter Olympic story and my understanding of the spirit of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
I’ve competed in Olympics for three times in total. At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, I missed out on the gold medal and finished with a bronze. Four years later, on Feb 22th, 2018, however, I did manage to make a comeback by calming the first gold medal of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics for the Chinese team in the men’s short-track 500-meter race, setting a world record time of 39.584 seconds. This was the first gold medal won by the Chinese men’s short track speed skating at the Winter Olympics.
But I knew that is not an end. So I kept pressing ahead by overcome difficulties such as frequent recurrence of injuries. Then, on February 5, 2022, my partners and I lived up to the expectations of our motherland and people by storming to a thrilling victory in the mixed 2,000m relay Saturday night at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Keynote Interview: Wu Dajing.
Q: How do you see the power of role models?
A: Setting an example gives us a goal and direction so we can consistently press ahead with a clear direction. After finding the right role model, we must strive to chase after it and eventually surpass it. I do believe this is a very meaningful thing for the youth.
Q: Can you give us some advices in dealing with pressure and regulating emotions.?
A: I think it’s enough to respect your inner voice, hobbies, major, and age. Always remember this basic rule – No one knows you better than yourself. So I hope everyone could just follow their hearts. As for the negative things that trouble you, just leave them behind you.
We, the Chinese younger generation, represents the pioneers of this era. We shall have the courage to shoulder responsibility”. Don’t be afraid of failure or loss, just try it! Lofty ideals and concrete actions are surely what every young person needs to have.
Q: As a good example for us, do you have anything to say to the younger generation?
A: We are now in the best times and the best age and we should try to do something that not only makes us feel good about ourselves, but also makes the people around us feel proud and warm. This is how we can be our better selves. Indeed, this is very important for each and every one of we young people.
Interactive Sessions
After the sharing session, 8 representatives of volunteers for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games also shared their stories with the first gold medal at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in the 2,000m mixed team relay of short track speed skating and delivered their best wishes to the gold medalist and the national team of short track speed skating.
Follows the sharing session, we came to the interactive activities in which Wu had an in-depth exchanges with students.
About the “Youth & Pioneer” Sharing Sessions
The RUC “Youth & Pioneer” sharing sessions are organized by RUC School Youth League Committee, a move aiming at inspiring RUC students to aim higher and make greater contributions to the country’s development by inviting influential person from different fields of our society to share their experience of personal growth with students through speeches or dialogues.