Chula Congratulates Chula Olympic Athletes, Paris Olympic Games 2024 

Chulalongkorn University held a congratulatory event for alumni and current students who have brought pride to the university and Thailand as members of the Thai national team participating in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The event included the presentation of an achievement jacket to Panipak Wongpattanakit, an alumna of the Faculty of Sports Science at Chulalongkorn University, who has reached the pinnacle of her athletic career by winning a gold medal in the women’s 49 kg taekwondo category at the 2024 Olympics. This marks her second consecutive Olympic gold medal. 

The event to honor the 2024 Olympic athletes, both alumni and current students, was held on August 29, 2024, in the Chulalongkorn University Council meeting room, Room 202, Chamchuri 4 Building. The Chulalongkorn athletes present included Panipak Wongpattanakit, a taekwondo athlete and graduate of the Faculty of Sports Science; Sasikan Thongchan, a taekwondo athlete and second-year student in the Faculty of Sports Science; Banlung Tubtimdang, a taekwondo athlete and first-year student in the Faculty of Communication Arts; Tanyaporn Prucksakorn, a shooting athlete and graduate of the Faculty of Engineering; and Chanatip Sonkham, assistant taekwondo coach and former bronze medalist in taekwondo at the 2012 London Olympics, and a graduate of the Faculty of Sports Science. 

The congratulatory event began with a report by Associate Professor Dr. Sukanya Sompiboon, Acting Vice President for Student Affairs at Chulalongkorn University. Professor Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Chairman of the Chulalongkorn University Council, then delivered a welcome speech, expressing his pride, and congratulated Chulalongkorn’s Olympic athletes. He also presented the achievement jacket to Panipak Wongpattanakit, who won a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics.  

Following this, Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, Acting President of Chulalongkorn University, presented commemorative gifts to the Chulalongkorn athletes who participated in the 2024 Olympics. The University Council President, Council members, university administrators, along with alumni and current students who were Olympic athletes from Chulalongkorn University, then had group photos taken together in Room 202 of the Chamchuri 4 Building and in the area below the Chamchuri 4 Building. 

Panipak Wongpattanakit, a taekwondo athlete and graduate of the Faculty of Sports Science at Chulalongkorn University, expressed her joy and pride at having the opportunity to return to her alma mater after completing her bachelor’s degree. She reminisced about the memories and experiences she had during her time as a student and thanked the university for the achievement jacket and commemorative gifts presented to all the athletes. She also shared some advice with current Chulalongkorn students, emphasizing the importance of balancing study time and personal time. She encouraged them to approach everything with dedication, avoid excessive stress, and manage their time well so they can perform at their best ability and achieve their fullest potential. 

On this occasion, Panipak Wongpattanakit, along with other Olympic athletes who are alumni and current students of Chulalongkorn University, participated in a panel discussion on the topic “Work-Life Balance with Chula Olympic Heroes” held in the Auditorium on the 7th floor of the Office of Academic Resources at Chulalongkorn University. The discussion was opened by Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, Acting President of Chulalongkorn University, and moderated by Associate Professor Dr. Sukanya Sompiboon, Acting Vice President for Student Affairs, and Associate Professor Dr. Chaipat Lawsirirat, Dean of the Faculty of Sports Science at Chulalongkorn University. 

Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, Acting President of Chulalongkorn University, stated that the university takes great pride in being a part of the support system for national athletes and athletes at all levels by providing quality education and comprehensive support. Achieving success in global competitions requires not only physical and mental abilities but also maintaining a work-life balance. Striking a balance between academic and personal life is a significant challenge. Learning to adapt and manage time effectively is key to success in life, including efficient time management between rigorous training and academic dedication. Athletes must make sacrifices and commit themselves fully to their training. The success of Olympic athletes certainly does not happen overnight but is the result of lifelong dedication, serving as an exemplary model of determination. Chulalongkorn University applauds the remarkable achievements of its alumni and students and hopes that others can learn from these athletes’ journeys in realizing their dreams and achieving success on the international stage. 

“Chulalongkorn University is a place where talents are nurtured, providing a high-quality education in all aspects, which will help students grow and achieve great success. This forum will inspire students to manage their lives effectively, fulfill their responsibilities completely, and bring pride to Chulalongkorn University,” Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat summed it all up. 

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