Chongqing- The Gobi-16 Expedition Team of Chongqing University held a grand opening ceremony in Chongqing on 16th April 2021, an event that was attended by academic leaders, alumni, friends, and guests from all walks of life.
The challenge involves an arduous 121 kilometer run across the Gobi Desert over four days and three nights. It takes inspiration from the Tang Dynasty monk Xuan Zang who undertook a pilgrimage to India in the seventh century AD and followed a route that crossed the ancient silk road.
Team runners from the Chongqing Gobi-16 Expedition pose for a group photograph and vow to complete the arduous run across the Xuan Zang Road. (Photo/ James Alexander)
During his arduous journey lasting 19 years, he traversed 50,000 kilometers before finally arriving at the holy land for Buddhism in India. Later generations then came to venerate his ancient footprints as the Road of Xuan Zang.
The silk road is the legendary and sacred trail where eastern and western civilizations have met for thousands of years. Dunhuang, an ancient city on the Silk Road, continues to shine brightly in the long river of history and illuminates the heart.
Team B of the Gobi-16 Expedition receive their group flag and display their strong spirit to not give up during their upcoming challenge (Photo/ James Alexander)
The Gobi Challenge of the Xuan Zang Road Business School is a high-profile event for cultural experiences and will be held this year for the 16th time. Elite sports enthusiasts from Chinese business schools and friends worldwide will traverse the vast Gobi Desert as they strive to enrich life through the limitless energy of sporting prowess.
Liao Ruijin, Vice president of Chongqing University, delivered a speech to propose the true significance of taking part in the Gobi Challenge. "The ideals of action and perseverence embodied by the Xuan Zhang Road Gobi Challenge will display the strong spiritual strength of Chongqing people through the advancement of friendship and the drive to achieve one’s goals."
Qu Xiangdong, chairman of Xingzhi Exploration Group and the Xuanzang Road Gobi Challenge Tournament, attended the event to deliver a speech on behalf of the organizational committee. He offered strong words of encouragement for the Gobi 16 teams of Chongqing University to embolden their spirit of action and determination.
"When we have spiritual goals at heart, we can uphold ideals like the courage to act and persevere. Let us become legends with true heart as was Xuan Zang in his day!" As Qu Xiangdong emphasized the importance of spiritual strength and determination for the athletes during his speech.
Guest of honor Xia Boyu sits with the vice headteacher of Chongqing University Liao Ruijin at the event (Photo provided by the event organizer).
Members from teams A, B, and C each made a group appearance on stage to be officially conferred their team flag and conducted rapturous group oaths to see their challenge through to the very end. In total, there will be around 100 runners taking part from Chongqing, ranking them amongst the top 15 largest Gobi teams nationwide to take on the challenge.
Guest of honor that night was the Chinese climber and Laureus World Sports Winner Xia Boyu, who finally succeeded in climbing to the peak of Mount Everest in 2018, which was his fifth attempt in the 43 years since he first tried in 1975 when he lost both legs to frostbite.
Xia Boyu took the stage to offer inspiring words of encouragement and conveyed an indomitable spirit of persistence, never to give up. He will travel to the Gobi as a special guest of the B team and serve as inspiration for the members to complete the harsh challenges that lie ahead during the race.
During the proceedings, Chongqing University alumni and Gobi Challenge friends also gave a series of wonderful performances for the guests, including traditional arts such as Sichuanese opera and face-changing dances, which effuse the characteristics and cultural heritage of Chongqing.