In 1960, Harvard University's Admissions Office director, Bender, asserted in a lengthy report before his departure that a group comprised solely of academically elite students was unhealthy and hindered the well-rounded development of individual students. This perspective had a profound impact on Harvard and the admissions and education policies of other top universities in the subsequent years.

As a result, during the student selection process, admissions officers employ an invisible yardstick to comprehensively measure students based on their scores, experiences, talents, character, and more, rather than solely relying on academic scores. The measured outcomes significantly favor several categories of individuals, including relatives of donors, faculty members' children, alumni's children, and top athletes.

At Harvard University, with an admission rate as low as 5%, the proportion of undergraduate students who are athletes is 15%. Yale University follows closely at 13%, Princeton University, with a 7% admission rate, has 20% of its student body composed of athletes, and Dartmouth College has the highest percentage of athletes at 21%.

It is evident that students with athletic talents have an advantage in the U.S. college application process, making it easier for them to stand out.

IDEO introduced the concept of "T-shaped talent," which refers to individuals with a broad knowledge base and deep expertise, the ability to think across disciplines to solve real-world problems, openness to collaboration, and a knack for self-improvement.

Students need to cultivate qualities beyond just improving their scores. They should develop attributes such as a competitive spirit, teamwork, leadership, and willpower. The former requires meticulous absorption of knowledge in the classroom, while the latter demands physical exercise on the field.

A 2016 article in the Guangming Daily emphasized the positive impact of sports on the holistic development of individuals. The United States not only places great emphasis on college athletics but also possesses a well-established and mature system for selecting and competing among student athletes.

The renowned Ivy League schools, initially formed as an alliance of well-known institutions through sports, are not merely academic communities. 

The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), founded in 1906, gathers the most elite sports talents in the United States. It is responsible for managing and organizing college sports, ensuring fair and competitive games, and providing scholarships for student-athletes. Despite being college-level competitions, NCAA generates annual commercial revenue that can reach up to $1 billion. NCAA competitions attract thousands of spectators.

The most important aspect is that NCAA, through college sports, nurtures outstanding student-athletes into future leaders. A significant part of the value of elite colleges is derived from sports. 

The American model of excellence is closely related to athletic excellence. Elite schools may lower their score requirements for student-athletes because of their professional expertise?

Take the example of skiing champion Eileen Gu. Despite achieving two gold and one silver medal at the Winter Olympics, she dedicated herself to SAT preparation to gain admission to Stanford. She worked hard and took additional courses in Beijing during the summer, completing practice exams while traveling by plane. In the end, she scored 1580 out of 1600 on the SAT. Eileen Gu's ability to stay calm in unexpected situations, like running to the test center when faced with rain and travel disruptions, showcases the psychological stability of athletes and the emergency skills that come from their strong physical abilities.

Student-athletes are first and foremost students, and athletes second. A more distant example is Jeremy Lin. In addition to his outstanding performance on the court, he achieved a high SAT score of 1570 and was ultimately admitted to Harvard. It is evident that sports talents are favored by prestigious institutions, but this does not mean that applicants can relax academically. 

In LWS, outstanding academic achievements are essential, and sports development should not be underestimated. Mr. Fang Zheng, the founder of LWS, believes that a healthy physique and strong willpower are indispensable for shaping future leaders. Therefore, LWS, with a total area of 60,000 square meters, dedicates about one-third of its space (approximately 20,000 square meters) to student sports. On-campus sports programs include tennis, golf, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, among others. Students have a diverse range of exercise opportunities to enhance their physical fitness and leadership abilities.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a popular combat sport worldwide. Compared to other sports, it requires more mental engagement and emphasizes using the body's frame and leverage in combat. It excels in using small efforts for significant impact. In learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu, children always face new problems, and they must step-by-step solve these issues, continuously explore every possible situation, and ultimately gain an advantage or win. Brazilian jiu-jitsu training brings a lot of joy and makes children sweat profusely. Regular physical activity is the best way to improve children's immunity, as those who exercise regularly are less prone to illness. Brazilian jiu-jitsu has no specific requirements for the physical fitness of learners because, over time, it subtly changes the children's bodies, greatly improving their strength, speed, and flexibility.

Among non-contact ball sports, tennis can be considered a more intense level of activity. When playing tennis, there is a large range of movement, and it exercises multiple muscle groups. Hitting a forehand shot engages over 130 muscle groups, so some coaches say playing tennis is like boxing. Tennis also thoroughly tests and develops inner abilities, such as self-control, adaptability, concentration, and tactical skills.

John Brenkus, the producer of the famous sports program "Sports Science" on ESPN, has analyzed and researched various high-difficulty sports. He believes that hockey is the most challenging, and golf is the most difficult to master. Golf is by no means simply picking up a club and hitting a small white ball into a 4.25-inch hole. It requires a significant amount of time, determination, and most importantly, concentration. When hitting the ball, even a slight deviation can ruin one shot or an entire round. Golf requires belief in oneself to succeed with every swing.