Qin Haiyang celebrates on the podium after winning the men's 200m breaststroke at the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)
Swimming world champion Qin Haiyang expressed his pride after being named one of China's two flagbearers at the opening ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games.
HANGZHOU, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Becoming a flagbearer is both a personal honor and one for the team, star swimmer Qin Haiyang said upon learning he had been chosen to carry China's flag at the Asian Games opening ceremony here on Saturday evening.
"First of all, thanks for the help of our coaches and staff, and the recognition of the leadership. Being a flagbearer is not only my personal honor, but also an honor for China's swimming team," the breaststroke world champion said on Friday. He will carry the flag together with China's women's basketball captain Yang Liwei.
This marks the first time a Chinese swimmer has been selected as a flagbearer for the Asian Games' opening ceremony.
Qin Haiyang (L) in action during the men's 200m breaststroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Historically, no athlete from the World Swimming Federation had ever clinched the 50, 100, and 200 meters breaststroke titles at the same World Championships. However, 24-year-old Qin achieved exactly this and set a world record in the 200 meters breaststroke at this year's World Championships in Fukuoka in July.
Born in 1999 in Hunan Province, Qin began swimming at the age of five. From the 2017 World Championships to the 2023 Chengdu Universiade, he consistently pushed his limits.
"I hope to break the world record in other events and stand on the top step of the podium at the Olympic Games," said Qin, who will compete in the men's 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke and two relays at the Asiad in Hangzhou.
China has announced a delegation of 1,329 members, including 886 athletes, for the Hangzhou Asian Games. ■
