Hangzhou, China – A wave of youthful energy is revitalizing China’s men’s 4×100-meter relay team as they set their sights on the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games. At the recent 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, the team, featuring veterans and burgeoning talents, showcased their prowess by clinching the gold medal with a time of 38.29 seconds.
The team composition is a blend of experience and youth. While seasoned sprinter Xie Zhenye led the way, it was the young athletes—Wu Zhiqiang, Yan Haibing, and particularly the 21-year-old Chen Jiapeng—who demonstrated that the future of Chinese sprinting is in capable hands. Chen, a last-minute choice as the team’s anchor, delivered a thrilling finish by overtaking his Japanese rival in the final strides, sealing victory for China.
“When I received the baton, I was a step behind,” Chen recounted in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). “I believed in myself, and I believed in our team’s strength. I did my best to meet the expectations placed upon me.”
This strategic placement of young athletes in critical roles has been a hallmark of the Chinese relay team. In the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Wu Zhiqiang, then one of the younger team members, played a pivotal role as the anchor, helping China secure a historic bronze medal after Great Britain was disqualified over a doping violation.
The rise of these young sprinters is not accidental. Chen Jiapeng marked a personal milestone by running the 100 meters in 10.08 seconds during a race in the United States in April, making him only the fifth Chinese athlete to break the 10.10-second barrier.
“You can see from Chen’s performance that he has remarkable sprinting ability,” teammate Wu Zhiqiang told CMG. “He gives us an even greater advantage as we head towards Paris.”
While veteran sprinter Su Bingtian will miss the Paris Olympics due to a lack of consistent training over the past two years, the emergence of new talents like Chen fills the team with confidence.
“My older teammates set the bar high by finishing in the top three last time,” Chen said. “I aspire to reach their level—not necessarily to surpass them, but to be their equal.”
As the baton passes to this new generation, the Chinese men’s relay team stands poised to make a significant impact on the world stage once again.
Reference(s):
Baton passed to young generation with Chinese men's relay team
cgtn.com
