(Text: Li Qilong; Photos: Yang Bei)On March 26, Zhengzhou Advanced Research Institute of Harbin Insititute of Technology held a Sports Science and Technology Seminar. Hong Zhang, China's first Winter Olympic gold medalist in speed skating, Director of HIT Olympic Research Center, and former member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was invited to deliver a lecture. She shared her champion journey and growth insights with ZARI faculty and students, conveying the Olympic spirit and the power of innovation in sports technology. Hong Wang, Party Secretary of our Institute, and Hong Zhang, Institute Council Member, attended the event.
Event Site
With the theme My Olympic Journey, Hong Zhang used vivid images to take the audience through the exciting moments of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. She shared her journey of continuous breakthroughs on the international stage, ultimately winning China's first Olympic gold medal in speed skating, as well as the responsibilities and commitments she shouldered after being elected as an IOC member. Hong Zhang emphasized that every achievement was inseparable from persistent daily effort and the courage to overcome difficulties. She also noted that the Olympic spirit was not only reflected in the competitive pursuit of Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together but also in the attitude of never giving up when facing challenges.
Hong Zhang Delivering the Lecture
Combining her own practical experiences in research and education, Hong Zhang introduced the explorations and achievements of the HIT Olympic Research Center in Olympic education, the integration of sports science and technology, and international cooperation and exchange. Using the cross-disciplinary integration of sports + technology as an entry point, she explained the value of interdisciplinary thinking and methods for cultivating innovative thinking. She encouraged students to build on their professional fields, actively expand their knowledge boundaries, seek development opportunities in interdisciplinary exchanges, and clarify their future learning directions and career paths.
During the interactive Q&A session, faculty and students asked questions about how to overcome difficulties and pressures in growth and how to balance studies and personal hobbies. Hong Zhang answered each question based on her own experiences, encouraging students to hold fast to their dreams, integrate personal aspirations with national development, focus on professional knowledge while also paying attention to physical and mental health, and persistently cultivate their passions with unwavering determination.
This event allowed faculty and students to closely experience the spirit and responsibility of a Winter Olympic champion, providing a platform for exchange on the Olympic spirit, sports technology, and talent development.
Typeset by: Zhang Qiu
Responsible Editor: Mei Pengfe
Reviewed by: Zhang Hong; Zhang Yiwen
