One of China’s most celebrated swimming coaches died today, as Xu Guoyi succumbed to brain cancer. The 50-year-old had most recently been the coach of 2012 Olympic champion Ye Shiwen and 2016 Olympic silver medalist Xu Jiayu.
Guoyi was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2015. We reported at the time that Xu underwent surgery after doctors detected malignant glioma in his brain. Xu’s glioma was considered a grade IV, which is the most serious case of brain tumors.
Xu reportedly kept his illness from his swimmers, such as Ye Shiwen, heading into the 2016 Olympic Games.
The Chinese Swimming Association issued a statement thanking Xu for his extraordinary contributions to the country’s swimming success, “Coach Xu Guoyi has made significant contributions to the development of Chinese swimming. His success will be the ever-lasting monument of the country’s swimming industry.”
Xu once said, “My life is always about swimming. I love what I do and there is no way for me to stay away from the pool.” (CGTN)
Along with aforementioned Ye Shiwen and Xu Jiayu, Xu coached 2004’s women’s 100m breaststroke Olympic gold medalist Luo Xuejuan and two-time world champion Fu Yuanhui.
Xu Jiayu published a heartfelt letter to his coach on the Chinese app, Weibo, today:
“Dear coach, I remember all your expectations for me. When I won it again (men’s 100-meter backstroke gold) in Gwangju, you told me I should dream big because Tokyo is the stage for me. RIP, I promise I will bring that gold medal back home (from Tokyo) next summer for you. I will never forget what you did for me.
Ye Shiwen followed suit:
“I always thought one day a miracle would happen and bring you back to health and back to us. You brought me up, put me in that stage for top honor and was always there for every big moment in my life. You taught me how to stay strong, focus on what we do and never give up. You made every of us a better person. I know you won’t be there to protect me anymore but you will always be the beacon in my heart, guiding me through both light and darkness. Goodbye Daddy Xu, my love, respect and thoughts are always with you.
Sorry he had to live thru the Demonization of his prodigy Ye Shiwen. As one can see from his Breastroke & Back stars , he knew enough to nurture a IM swimmer to world record , should one with the talent turn up in his squad. Ye had no weak strokes 2010-2012 . She showed high degrees of technic a l ability in the 2010 s/c Worlds as a 14 year old beating Mirela . Ye was not far behind Mirela’s excellent turns.
Ye like Katie Hoff put all strokes together seamlessly at a young age.. American s know Katie’s Baltimore background of high yardage & Mirela’s but Ye also spent time in Oz with a King of Volume ,… Read more »
Well said. There is every likelylhood that Ye Shiwen has been clean all along and the outcry after London was unfair. Her tactics in 2012 are the same ones Ledeckey uses every time she does a 4IM but the difference is Ye Shiwen is better at the three other strokes so if the plan is to stealth it to 300 she is better placed to do it.
Katie Hoff who you also mentioned lost her form in a similar way to Ye Shiwen after 2008 and no-one is saying she cheated. Ye Shiwen clearly had a lot of mental issues with her simming after London. That in no way proves London was the result of cheating.
Sad story for one of the best Chinese trainers !! RIP
That’s no respect! You can’t use red. In China, If someone die, you can’t use red!!! That’s no respect!!!!
I wish SwimSwam found a photo of him and his swimmers together, but you could have found a better way to explain that red color in China represents luck and happiness.
you can’t use red! That’s stupid. If someone die in China, you can’t use red! That’s no respects!
This article was simply reporting his passing and summarized his success with some top Chinese swimmers he coached. I understand B&W colors would be more appropriate if this were an article specifically intended to pay tribute to his life. The contents of this article actually show respect for him. I for one appreciate and applaud Swimswam for bringing this sad news to the larger swimming community.
This was very sad to read. RIP to a great coach.
Incredible sports figure. RIP
Sad news. RIP. Too young to die.
Ordinary Americans know very little about China, apart from propaganda served daily by CIA/CNN/NYT. Although cheating in sports was prevalent in socialist/communist countries, modern China is different from China 20-30 years ago. Modern China is a technological, economic and military superpower and wants to be respected that way. China knows they cannot be respected unless they follow international norms. China is fighting internal corruption as well as trying very hard to play by internartional rules in business and politics [let’s not talk about spying here – everybody spies on everybody]. Before coronavirus, I lived in China half year each of last 3 years, doing business. I never encountered anything inappropriate and illegal… Read more »
Well said. I don’t necessarily agree with your comments on many swimming topics, but am in full agreement with your narrative about China. I have been traveling to China (and many other countries) for business for over 25 years, and find my China trips most interesting and rewarding. Once you get to known the actual people personally and in depth, you’ll find they’re not that different from us. I look forward to my next trip to Asia when Americans are allowed.
While like many, I have my share of concerns about Chinese swimming, 50 from brain cancer is far too young and a far too painful way to go. May his memory be a blessing to his friends, family and athletes.
Why pre-empt your condolences with bringing up concerns about Chinese swimming?
A beloved coach died. Let’s be bigger than bringing up suspicions of foreign nations at a time like this.