Maesan Elementary School in Suwon Holds School-Wide Athletic Festival on "Black and White Championship" Theme

Maesan Elementary School (Principal Lim Mi-kyung) held the "2026 Maesan Elementary School Athletic Festival" for all students on the 29th. This year's athletic festival was held under the theme of "Black and White Championship," with students divided into black and white teams competing in good-natured rivalry.

The festival proceeded with an opening ceremony followed by a congratulatory performance by the traditional percussion club, then continued with grade-level cooperative events and relay races. Students demonstrated perseverance and determination not to give up in individual events, and showed cooperation and teamwork in group events with their friends.

The highlight of the festival was the relay race between the black and white teams, where pride was at stake. Athletes from each team ran across the field amid cheers from their teammates, and spectators in the stands added to the excitement by cheering the athletes in unison. Additionally, traditional folk games including ring toss, long jump rope, stone-flicking, hacky sack, and card flicking were held in the portico area.

The school explained that it organized the festival placing significance on the process of facing challenges together and cooperating rather than on competition results, ensuring students practiced consideration and respect. The winning team respected the opposing team, and friends encouraged students who were disappointed with their results.

A fourth-grade student said, "I was most excited and nervous when my friends received the baton in the relay race," and added, "I thought both the black and white teams that did their best until the end were cool, and I want to participate joyfully with my friends in the next athletic festival."

Principal Lim Mi-kyung said, "What matters in an athletic festival is not who won, but the process of working together toward a common goal," and added, "I hope that through today's experience where the black and white teams competed while respecting and cheering for each other, our students will grow even further."