My last Sports Day!

Once again, October brings Sports Days to schools all across China. And Maple Leaf was no exception. A couple of weeks ago,the school turned out to put in several hours of pageantry, running, hula hooping and other heavy-day athletic activities. The weather started out a little threatening but the sun broke through the clouds by late morning and the heat showed up for the rest of the day.

Sports Day in Chinese schools is a big event! It is a mini version of the Olympics. Every home room marches out in procession and provides a short performance for those in the audience. It is up to the kids to put their show together on their own time. Where they fit it into their busy schedule, I have no idea. There is always a formal opening ceremony and closing ceremony. In between, the students do their best to outdo each other in a variety of events. It is not like track and field in North America. Other than the running, broad jump and shot put,there are very few traditional events. Usually, we end up judging such things a skipping, hula hoop races, and three-legged races. You never know what event is destined to appear each year.

The day always ends with a tug-of-war between home rooms and, finally, between the teachers and students. This year, the teachers demonstrated their incredible power by actually breaking the rope instead of being dragged off their feet by the large number of students at the other end. Who has ever seen one of these massive tug-of-war ropes actually snap? It was a first for all of us!

Anyway, if things go as planned, this will be my last sports day. The pictures and videos should give you a good idea of what this day is all about!