At Beijing Sport University, the roar of cheering crowds and the squeak of sneakers on courts tell only part of the story. CGTN host Merna’s latest documentary episode reveals how international students are transforming sports into a universal language of connection, challenging stereotypes and forging bonds across continents.
From basketball courts to martial arts dojos, students from over 30 countries and regions train side by side. A Kenyan track athlete shares how relay races taught her to trust teammates from Vietnam and Brazil, while a Filipino badminton player describes bonding with Chinese peers over post-match jiaozi dumplings. 'Here, your passport matters less than your passion,' says Iranian archery scholar Reza Mohammadi.
The university’s programs intentionally pair athletes from conflicting regions, using cooperative drills to dissolve tensions. Recent data shows 68% of international graduates from the school now work in cross-cultural sports diplomacy roles. 'This isn’t just about medals,' explains Dean Li Wei. 'It’s about creating ambassadors who understand competition without conflict.'
As night falls on the campus, the glow of mixed-nationality soccer matches under stadium lights offers a microcosm of sport’s unifying power – one that’s training tomorrow’s leaders to build bridges faster than they can sprint.
