Sun Yang, the three-time Olympic champion, made a remarkable return to competitive swimming at China’s 2024 Summer National Swimming Championships in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province. Representing Zhejiang Province, Sun advanced to the men’s 400-meter freestyle final after clocking a time of 3 minutes, 54.98 seconds, topping his heat on Sunday.
This event marks Sun’s first major competition since his suspension in 2020. Eligible to compete again as of May 28th, Sun’s re-entry into the swimming arena was eagerly anticipated by fans and athletes alike. His studio hinted at his comeback earlier this year with a social media post: “Exceed yourself. Be a fearless swimmer.”
The Summer National Swimming Championships, running from August 25th to 28th, is a prestigious Class B national event in China, second only to the National Swimming Championships in terms of level and prestige. The competition gathers top swimmers from across the nation, showcasing both emerging talents and seasoned athletes.
Zhejiang Province sent a formidable squad of 59 swimmers, predominantly youth athletes, under the guidance of Wang Wei, director of the Zhejiang Provincial Swimming Sports Management Center. Notably absent from the lineup are Paris 2024 Olympians Wang Shun and Pan Zhanle, indicating a strategic focus on nurturing new talent.
Sun’s return adds a significant highlight to the championships, drawing attention to the dynamic and evolving landscape of Chinese swimming. As he prepares for the final, spectators and supporters are eager to see if he can reclaim his standing in the sport and inspire the next generation of swimmers.
Reference(s):
Swimmer Sun Yang returns to competition for Zhejiang after doping ban
cgtn.com
