Every day, the RUC campus becomes the scene of fresh stories. Students sitting by a pond, quietly reading to themselves, others hurrying about between buildings, others yet emerging from all-nighters, while some delve into their books or gather with classmates to debate the news of the day… these scenes are our steadfast companions; over the years, they’ve been etched into the familiar landscape of Renmin University. We could tell you about many a student or teacher who has shaped this place; so many stories deserve to be told.

Every semester, we spotlight one group, whose experience at RUC we’d like to share with you, experiences that we think illustrate the university’s spirit of resilience and the positive outlook of the people who work and study here. For this 43^rd spotlight edition, we want to introduce you to RUC’s . From November 2nd to 6th, RUC’s swim team joined the 15th National University Swimming Championships in Zhejiang Province. RUC’s swimmers won the 4×100-meter medley and the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, while YAN Yinchi, a student of the School of Public Administration won the 100-metre backstroke competition. RUC swimmers also placed in several other events, including the 100-meter butterfly, the 200-meter medley, the 100-meter breaststroke, and the 50-meter butterfly.

The competition was the swim team’s first big match outside of Beijing – and, as such, a huge excitement for all RUC participants.

Reflecting on the events of that day, the swimmers remember the cheers in the stands, the hot tears, the embraces – all the excitement and mixed emotions leading up to the meet spilled into tears of joy as the swimmers celebrated their hard-earned success. All swimmers on the team have special nicknames, like “Handsome Stud” or “Man of Steel.” RUC’s swimmers train hard – but they also love “hanging out” with the team. “The atmosphere is the team is good; the team members all get along really well. This is because what brings them together is first and foremost a common interest. The train diligently and put forth their best effort… Their exemplary manner in sticking together and supporting each other is what’s invaluable about this team,” says Coach LU Feng. During the competition, one team member was disqualified from one race, only to later succeed in another, having pulled himself together with the help and moral support of Coach LU and his fellow team members. This episode, too, is part of the team’s story.