On the morning of October 26, RUC held the opening ceremony for its 13th Sports and Culture Festival and the 2024 Freshmen Sports Meet. President Lin Shangli, Executive Vice President Zhu Xinkai, and Vice President Wang Yi attended the ceremony, which was presided over by Vice President Feng Shizheng.

As the spirited march played, flag bearers led the way, displaying an energetic and uplifting presence. Following them, 29 freshmen teams from various schools and departments marched into the stadium, embodying the youthful energy and vibrancy of RUC.

The ceremony officially opened as the university community joined together to sing the national anthem. President Lin Shangli declared the opening of the festival and freshmen sports meet. Executive Vice President Zhu Xinkai delivered the opening speech, emphasizing the role of sports in the pursuit of a strong nation and national rejuvenation. He noted that RUC prioritizes sports as a key element of its education policy, promoting a spirit of dedication to the nation and personal growth through sports. He encouraged students to build physical and mental resilience.

Representatives from Class of 2024 and faculty, Gu Yifan and Zhu Kaidi, took oaths on behalf of the athletes and referees. The ceremony also featured the finals of the tug-of-war competition, where the School of Journalism and the School of Business competed. After a fierce competition, team of Business School successfully defended their title. School leaders and committee members awarded the top eight teams in the tug-of-war competition, as well as the "Health Champion" awards to the top ten students in the 2023–2024 fitness assessments. The ceremony featured dynamic performances from the Free Dance Association, the Dance Team, and the Cheerleading Squad, showcasing the students’ lively and spirited energy through music and dance.

The event concluded with a "Freshmen Health Run" under the theme "Revitalization Pillars, Strong Nation Pioneers," where athletes took confident strides, displaying both athletic vitality and youthful ambition. Throughout the Sports and Culture Festival, the university will host a variety of leagues in soccer, basketball, volleyball, and table tennis, along with the annual "December 9th" Cross-Country Run, all aimed at fostering well-rounded development in students.