The 2024 Olympic Games are on the horizon, with pool swimming action set to begin on July 27th.
Currently, the Chinese Olympic team is training behind closed doors in east China’s Shanghai Municipality, putting in final preparations as athletes try to improve upon its 6-medal haul 3 years ago in Tokyo. (China Media Group)
20-year-old Tang Qianting is among the women’s contingent, riding the wave of success from earning her first individual World Championships gold medal this year in Doha.
Tang fired off a winning time of 1:05.27 to top the women’s 100m breaststroke podium, establishing a new national record in the process.
Just 3 months later, Tang dropped that down to an even quicker mark of 1:04.39 at April’s Chinese Championships to become the 4th-fastest performer in history.
Speaking to China Media Group recently, Tang explained her mentality heading into Paris.
“The victory in Doha gave me more confidence and enabled me to perform better this time in Shenzhen.
“Doha was just a start and a great boost for me in self-confidence. I felt the changes in my mindset after winning the world title in Doha. I became hungrier for training felt more motivated to work harder.”
Tang continued, “I’m willing to give my everything for the Olympics.
“It has always been my dream to win an Olympic gold medal since I began to practice swimming as a child. It’s something I never stop looking forward to.
“Winning it is the peak you can reach in this circle. I think I will enjoy my trip to Paris with a relaxed mindset. As long as I keep that state of mind, I can perform well.” (China Media Group)
Tang was not one of the 23 Chinese swimmers who reportedly tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) at the start of the calendar year in 2021, about seven months before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
She finished 10th in the women’s 100m breast in Tokyo, clocking a time of 1:06.63 and was a member of the nation’s 4th place finishing medley relay.
