As the peak of summer fades, its memories linger. Brimming with curiosity and hope, and unable to hide their elation, over 4,600 2024-level undergraduate freshmen arrived at Tongji University on August 18 to embark on their university adventure.

Among them were Chen Yuxi and Xu Zhuoyi, who have now registered at the university.

Recently, Chen Yuxi, a diver, secured gold in the women's synchronized 10m platform and silver in the women's individual 10m platform at the Paris Olympics. Xu Zhuoyi, a track and field athlete, topped his heat in the men's 110m hurdles to qualify for the semifinals.

"Thank you for your perseverance that has brought honor to our country and to Tongji University," said Secretary Fang Shou'en and President Zheng Qinghua, who bestowed the badges of Tongji University upon Chen and Xu. They encouraged the athletes to balance their rigorous training with the pursuit of academic knowledge to enhance their overall capabilities. The athletes gifted Tongji University with commemorative badges from the Paris Olympics.

In the first half of this year, Tongji University released the list of outstanding athletes who qualified for the 2024 direct admission program based on comprehensive assessment, including Chen and Xu, both majoring in sports training.

Chen was born in September 2005 and is approaching her 19th birthday, while Xu was born in August 2003 and is set to turn 21. A native of Shanghai, Chen was prone to illnesses such as cold and fever in her childhood, prompting her parents to introduce her to sports to boost her health. Initially, her parents did not intend for Chen to pursue a professional sports career because they were well aware of the hardships involved. However, Chen showed a strong athletic talent and was later spotted by the Shanghai Diving Team, switching to diving.

At first, facing the towering diving platform, the slender Chen was visibly fearful. Under the guidance of her coach and through diligent training, she overcame her fears, diving with determination time and time again, challenging complex moves. During her trial with the Shanghai team in 2017, her hair, tinged with yellow, stood out in the training facility—not due to any dye job, but from the natural discoloration caused by long hours in the pool.

The subsequent story is known to all. In July 2021, Chen made her Olympic debut, securing gold in the women's synchronized 10-meter platform and silver in the women's individual 10-meter platform at the Tokyo Olympics. In July 2023, at just 17, she claimed her third consecutive World Championship title in the 10m platform. After the competition, she reflected on her personal account, "With the courage to conquer the giant waves, silently merging into the vast sea." She is low-key, steady, and down-to-earth, as well as brave, confident, and unstoppable.

In early 2022, Chen paired with Quan Hongchan in women's synchronized platform diving, where they formed an invincible duo with an unbeaten record. Yet, in individual events, they are fierce rivals.

In the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, the two young stars supported and encouraged each other. Off the field, the older Chen served as an "older sister", helping Quan relieve stress and adjust her mindset amidst her performance highs and lows. At the Paris Olympic finals, both athletes exerted their utmost efforts. Following her successful title defense, Quan rushed towards Chen, who warmly welcomed her with open arms, embracing her as the best opponent and friend.

Chen refers to herself and Quan as a "double guarantee". She said, "Competing against Quan is more of a motivation than pressure. No matter who wins the gold medal, we are all fighting for China."

Xu is a Chinese track and field athlete specializing in the 110-meter hurdles and is a junior to Liu Xiang. At the Paris Olympics, his image of running with glasses on left a deep impression on many netizens, earning him the nickname "Glasses Guy".

In the preliminary round of the men's 110-meter hurdles, he secured a first-place finish in his heat with a time of 13.40 seconds, qualifying for the semifinals. Netizens teased "I mistook him for a math whiz, but he's actually an Olympian!"

Chen and Xu have now officially started their freshman year at university. Netizens have flooded them with messages of blessing: "Keep up the spirit, college life is just around the corner!" "Enjoy your college life, and I wish I could meet you at Tongji!" Best wishes for them!