A total of 39 athletes from Guangdong Province will represent China at the upcoming Paris Olympics, following the official announcement of the Chinese delegation at a mobilization ceremony held in Beijing recently.
Among the 39 athletes, 38 are directly from Guangdong, with the Provincial Sports Bureau Director Cui Jian appointed as Deputy Secretary-General of the delegation. Additionally, a taekwondo athlete will join the team to compete in the mixed team demonstration event at the Games.
Let's take a closer look at the preparations of the Guangdong athletes for the upcoming sporting extravaganza.
Diving
Chen Yiwen, Quan Hongchan, Xie Siyi
Chen Yiwen, Quan Hongchan, and Xie Siyi will lead China's diving charge in Paris. Since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, China's diving team has amassed an impressive 47 gold medals, topping the medal tally across all sports for the Chinese delegation. Guangdong has always been a stronghold for diving, and Quan Hongchan and Xie Siyi, both Olympic champions from the previous edition, aim to defend their titles. Quan and Chen Yiwen also have their sights set on becoming double gold medallists.
Swimming
Wang Xueer, Tang Muhan, Chen Juner
The swimming events at the Paris Olympics will take place from 27 July to 4 August at the La Défense Arena. China has sent a 31-member strong squad, including three Guangdong swimmers: Wang Xue'er, Tang Muhan, and Chen Jun'er. Tang Muhan, one of China's six Olympic champions in swimming, is renowned for her pivotal role in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay team that broke the world record at the Tokyo Olympics. Wang Xue'er, a backstroke specialist, and the towering Shenzhen native Chen Jun'er, who has broken several records in the past year, are also expected to make waves in the pool.
Skateboarding
Zeng Wenhui, Zhu Yuanling, Zheng Haohao
China's skateboarding team, the youngest in the delegation, boasts three athletes from Guangdong out of its four members: Zeng Wenhui, Zhu Yuanling, and Zheng Haohao, all under the age of 16, showcasing Guangdong's dominance in this emerging Olympic sport. Zeng, who finished sixth at the Tokyo Olympics, now has the support of her fellow Guangdong teammates to aim for better results.
Track and field
Yan Haibin, Huang Bokai, Mo Jiadie, Zeng Rui, Liu Hong
Guangdong will be well represented in athletics too, with Yan Haibin set to compete in the men's 4x100m relay, showcasing the "Guangdong Speed" despite the absence of Su Bingtian. First-timers Mo Jiadie and Zeng Rui will participate in the women's 400m hurdles and triple jump respectively, while Huang Bokai, a seasoned pole vaulter, embarks on his third Olympic journey. Liu Hong, a five-time Olympian, will compete in both the women's 20km race walk and the mixed team event.
Basketball
Li Yueru, Huang Sijing, Yang Liwei, Yang Shuyu
China's women's basketball team, fresh from their World Cup silver medal and Asian Cup triumph, will feature four Guangdong players and head coach Zheng Wei. Led by Li Yueru, Yang Liwei, Huang Sijing, and Yang Shuyu, the team hopes to improve on their fifth-place finish in Tokyo and potentially grace the podium in Paris.
Badminton
Liang Weihang, Chen Qingchen
In badminton, Guangdong's representation comes in the form of world number one pairs: Liang Weikeng in men's doubles and Chen Qingchen in women's doubles. Both will compete with their respective partners, aiming to bring home the top honors for China.
Tennis
Yuan Yue, Wang Xinyu
China's tennis contingent boasts two Guangdong-born players in the women's singles: Yuan Yue and Wang Xinyu. With four spots secured in the women's singles and strong doubles pairings, China's tennis team is well-positioned to make a mark in Paris.
Taekwondo
Guo Qing, Zhang Mengyu
The Paris Olympic Taekwondo competition is set to take place from August 7th to August 10th, with eight gold medals up for grabs.
Guo Qing and Zhang Mengyu will represent China in Paris, with Guo Qing competing in the women's 49kg division. Zhang Mengyu is part of the mixed team tournament demonstration event. The team has been focusing on nurturing new talent since Tokyo's struggles.
Rowing
Shen Shuangmei, Qiu Xiuping
China's rowing team is set for Paris, including Qiu Xiuping and Shen Shuangmei in different events. Both pairs are Asian Games champions, but the women's lightweight double sculls will face stiff competition.
Sailing
Mai Huicong, Chen Linlin
At the 2023 Asian Championships and Paris Olympic Qualification Event, the duo of Mai Huicong and Chen Linlin, hailing from Shantou, clinched the gold medal in the Nacra 17 class, securing their spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
At 28, Mai Huicong has been involved in sailing for 17 years, with perseverance being his greatest challenge. His partner, Chen Linlin, who began training at 13, has stuck with it for 11 years, both athletes' achievements testament to their relentless dedication and hard work.
Synchronized Swimming
Wang Liuyi, Wang Qianyi
Representing China in both the team and duet events at the Paris Olympics will be the Guangdong-born twin sisters, Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi.
Since claiming their first Olympic medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, China's synchronized swimming team has amassed five silver and one bronze, laying a solid foundation for a potential gold breakthrough. Their recent success at the Doha World Championships, where they bagged seven golds, one silver, and one bronze, has further fuelled expectations.
Track Cycling
Li Zhiwei
Guangdong's Li Zhiwei is an alternate for China's men's team pursuit at Paris. Despite challenges, the men's team has gained experience and Li has won medals nationally and in Asian Championships.
3x3 Basketball
Chen Mingling
The rapid growth of 3x3 basketball in China has seen the country become the only nation to field both men's and women's teams at consecutive Olympics in Tokyo and Paris. The Chinese women's team, bolstered by Wan Jiyuan, Wang Lili, and Zhang Zhiting from the Tokyo squad, welcomes a new addition in the form of Chen Mingling from Guangdong.
Chen Mingling, a 1.92m tall 5x5-to-3x3 convert from Guangdong, joins the women's team, boosting their prospects but also facing unpredictable 3x3 challenges.
Gymnastics
Ou Yushan
For the Paris Olympics, China's gymnastics team will send five male and five female athletes each. China's team, led by Guangdong's all-rounder Ou Yushan, aims to repeat Tokyo's success at Paris after Rio's setback. She aims to excel in individual and team events.
Shooting
Zhang Xinqiu
Guangdong's Zhang Xinqiu clinched silver and gold at the Asian Flying Disc Championships, booking a spot at the Paris Olympics. After breaking records at the Asian Games, his performance in Paris is eagerly awaited.
Climbing
Zhang Yuetong
Climbing's Paris debut will feature two events: combined and speed, granting four golds.?
Zhang Yuetong, an athlete from Shenzhen, Guangdong, will make her debut at the Olympics. In the 2023 IFSC Asian Olympic Qualification Event for women's combined (bouldering + lead climbing), Zhang Yuetong excelled, winning the gold medal with a total score of 142.3 points and securing her spot for the Paris Olympics in climbing.
Golf
Lin Xiyu
Since golf's return to the Olympic family in 2016, the Chinese golf team has participated with a full quota for the third time. Lin Xiyu, a 3-time Olympian, leads the Chinese golf team for the third straight time since golf's return in 2016. At Rio, she scored China's first Olympic hole-in-one. This year, she partners with Yin Ruoning, marking a new pairing for the women's team.
Fencing
Mo Ziwei
China's fencing team, including first-time Olympian Mo Ziwei from Guangdong, will compete in all weapon categories in Paris. Mo, who won Asia's men's foil gold in 2023, aims to continue China's legacy. Excited yet nervous, he is confident in his Olympic debut.
Author | Alice
Editor | Abby, James