After a semester spent experiencing all Madison has to offer, the eight members of the 2010 Chinese Champions program are heading home to Beijing.
Part of a partnership with Beijing University of Sport, the debut program allowed the Olympic-caliber Chinese student-athletes the chance to live and study at UW-Madison.
At a farewell banquet Dec. 5, the student athletes expressed their gratitude to the Chinese and US student communities.
Division of International Studies Dean Gilles Bousquet presented the champions with mortarboards and tassels to signify their accomplishments as the first group to complete the Champions program.
The students will be honored by Chancellor Biddy Martin before the Board of Regents Thursday before touring the U.S. and then returning home.
While visiting China last November, Martin signed an agreement with Beijing University of Sport that would extend the program for three additional classes.
The next group of Chinese athletes is expected in 2011.
