In early summer, as the sun pours down, vibrant life bursts forth from every branch. Amid this season of exuberant vitality, Nanjing Zijin Hospital’s Summer Fun Sports Day is in full swing at its Jiangning Campus and the Southern New Town Community Fitness Center in Qinhuai District.

This sports event was organized on the basis of wards and departments, bringing together 15 teams and attracting approximately 150 employees to participate enthusiastically. Dressed in eye‑catching red, orange, green, cyan, and blue sportswear, they radiated vitality against the backdrop of the clear blue sky and bright sunshine.

“To succeed, first go mad—make up your mind and charge ahead!” “One person’s recovery isn’t true strength; only when the whole team steps up is that real kingship.” “Awakening sparks brilliance, thunderous battles ignite the field!” “Electrotherapy ignites energy, and movement rewrites glory.” With each resounding slogan and every bold team name, paired with the athletes’ proud, head‑held‑high entrance, the atmosphere in the venue was instantly electrified, officially kicking off the fun‑filled sports meet.

Athlete representatives and referee representatives spoke in turn, their expressions solemn and their words earnest, as they reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to fair competition and strict adherence to the rules. Following this, to the lively strains of cheerful music, the athletes warmed up thoroughly, rubbed their hands together in anticipation, and brimmed with eagerness to compete.

This sports event combines fun with physical activity, aiming to enrich employees’ cultural lives, help them relieve work-related stress, and enable them to enjoy exercise while fostering close teamwork through competition—thereby enhancing their sense of well-being and strengthening team cohesion.

Now, let’s step into this vibrant sports event and discover the exciting events on offer, as well as the breathtaking performances of our athletes!

“Quick eyes, quick hands—grab the water bottle!” Each team’s representative stands on either side of the bottle, their eyes locked on it, breath held, ears pricked, and every command from the referee scrutinized. When the referee shouts “Water!”, they spring forward like arrows released from a bow. True to form, these medical professionals on the front lines of life‑and‑death emergencies execute the grab with such speed that it leaves behind ghostly afterimages. The atmosphere is tense and electric, and each successful snatch is met with thunderous cheers from the crowd.

“Back-to-Back Cooperative Dribbling”: Team members pair up and, with a balloon clamped between their backs, make往返 runs along the course in relay fashion. Once the race begins, the competitors quickly master the key to this event—moving in perfect unison, coordinating seamlessly, and maintaining a steady rhythm as they stride forward while doing their utmost to keep the balloon from falling. If a balloon does drop, they promptly pick it up and start again, without a single complaint. With each successful delivery of the balloon to the finish line, their chemistry and trust grow stronger, step by step.

The “Standing‑Still Step Game” may seem simple, but it puts competitors’ balance and concentration to the test. Each team sends one representative to step in place within a 50 cm × 50 cm square for two minutes; the closer they end up to the center, the better. Ready! The participants don戴上 blindfolds, face the same direction, and line up single file. At the sharp sound of a whistle, deprived of sight, they begin stepping. As time goes on, some stay perfectly still, while others drift farther and farther away—some even turn and change course. The top performers barely move at all, with one contestant ending up a full 3.76 meters from the starting point. Spectators laughed heartily, yet couldn’t help but marvel: when your eyes are covered, even the simplest task—stepping in place—becomes unexpectedly challenging.

The “Dragon‑Long‑Chasing‑Pearl” event was the most challenging of the day, pushing teamwork to its absolute limit. Teams of eight lined up in single file, linking arms, backs, and even the backs of their heads, passing a ball from the front to the end of the line; the faster they completed the task, the better their score. Colorful dragon‑like formations danced across the field, with the ball either wedged between sections of the “dragon’s spine” or bouncing off in playful fashion. In the end, through united effort, relentless experimentation, and seamless coordination, each team successfully finished the challenge.

As a moderate-to-high‑intensity aerobic activity, stair climbing offers numerous benefits, including improved cardiovascular and pulmonary function, strengthened lower‑body muscles, and enhanced joint stability. For this year’s sports event at the Jiangning Campus, we’ve chosen it as the finale: teams of eight members take turns running up and down the stairs in a relay, with the team’s time recorded based on when all eight have completed their laps. Within the stairwell, the athletes’ flying sleeves and swift footsteps vividly embody their spirit of determination. As they brush past rivals and vie for the lead, buoyed by the cheers and encouragement of their teammates, they unleash their energy, savor the joy of sport, and, through that enjoyment, come to appreciate the power of collaboration.

And the most thrilling, heart‑pounding event of the games—the 50‑meter relay—unfurled among the athletes at the Qinhuai Campus. With each runner bursting off the blocks, cheers erupted like a surging tide. The entire arena came alive, filled with waves of shouts and encouragement. Some leapt into the air, others strode with long, powerful strides, while still others sprinted with an astonishing cadence; their techniques and speeds varied, yet every one gave it their all. Reaching the opposite end, they paused not a moment, turning on a dime to race back. Meanwhile, the next leg was already poised in the exchange zone, eyes locked on the teammate hurtling toward them, body slightly leaned forward, hands outstretched. As soon as the two touched, one handed off with unwavering precision, the other caught it without hesitation—perfect coordination, a seamless partnership. These comrades who have fought side by side on the battlefield of life now displayed the same unparalleled chemistry on the track.

On the court, they possess speed and a fearless fighting spirit, yet they can also remain calm and composed, hitting their targets with pinpoint precision. The two-point stationary shooting event is a comprehensive test of skill, mindset, and luck: each team fields four athletes—two men and two women—and every player gets five chances to shoot. One by one, the shooters step up to the designated spot, their gazes fixed firmly on the hoop, as if time itself had paused in that moment. Their shooting stances are as varied as they are distinctive: some adopt the classic, textbook form, leaning back slightly, extending their arm straight, and releasing the ball with a gentle flick of the wrist, sending it soaring in a perfect arc; others simply lift the ball high and let it fall, and it still finds its way cleanly through the net, earning rounds of applause and cheers from the crowd.

After two mornings of competition, the teams from both hospital campuses all achieved commendable results.

At the Jiangning Campus, the “Fierce Tiger Team” and the “No-Needle Team” ended up tied for first place in the standings. According to the rules, the winner was determined through a human‑style game of rock‑paper‑scissors:

First place No-needle team

Second place Tigers

Third place Lightning Speed Team

Excellent Award Kangji Vanguard Team, Critical Care Vanguard Team, Medical Fun Team, Happy Band

At the Qinhuai Campus, the “Deeply Hidden Blue Team” and the “Pulse Vanguard Team” tied for first place in the final standings. After a round of human‑style rock‑paper‑scissors, the winner was finally determined:

First place Deeply Hidden Blue Team

Second place Pulse Vanguard Team

Third place Wake Up the Thunder Team

Excellent Award Pioneering Team, Our No. “1” Team, Medical Road Running Team, Youth Frenzy Team, Vanguard Squad

This summer’s fun sports event has gradually come to a close, marked by laughter and sweat, determination and teamwork. Throughout the games, we once again witnessed the unique spirit of the colleagues at Nanjing Zijin Hospital. The usually meticulous and dedicated healthcare professionals transformed into spirited athletes, demonstrating both their professional commitment to safeguarding lives and their vibrant energy in embracing everyday life.

Let’s look forward to reuniting next year and continuing this exciting journey!