Belén Zárate, the Vice.Rector for the university community, welcomed the students, stressing the importance of sport. "In life we're going to have many opponents - and sport is a school" Zárate explained. Ernest Martínez, head of sports at the University, gave a summary of last year’s sports, highlighting the bronze in men’s handball. He also gave special congratulations to the volleyball team, champion of the University League.

It was then the turn of Rosanna Simón, who gave a lecture entitled: Las claves de una patada con éxito. (“The keys to a good kick”) The reigning world champion, a former UIC physiotherapy student - told the attendees about her experience as an elite athlete, what she’s learned from sport, and how she faced her worst-ever at the 2012 Olympics in London: "Finally, I realised that attitude is the spark that makes you evolve." This was the principle that helped her to overcome failure and to go on fighting, after which she went on to win many medals.

Her drive was what kept her going. "My dream was to see myself on the podium, right at the top," Simón recounted. This perseverance would finally lead her to win the gold medal that gave her the title of World Taekwondo Champion: the climax of her career. And "one of many more achievements".