The Chinese swimming team arrives at the Hangzhou Asian Games Village on Sept 21. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]

The Chinese swimming team arrived at the Hangzhou Asian Games Village on Sept 21, including renowned swimmers like Wang Shun, Ye Shiwen, Zhang Yufei, Xu Jiayu, and Qin Haiyang. The swimming competitions of this year's Asian Games will begin on Sept 24.

Hangzhou native Ye Shiwen exclaimed, "I've finally returned home. It feels very familiar, and I'm looking forward to the Asian Games!" Ye is a trailblazing figure in Chinese swimming, being the first athlete to achieve victories at the Olympic Games, long-course World Championships, and short-course World Championships, making her the first swimmer in China to achieve a "Golden Grand Slam." At this year's Asian Games, she is poised to compete for another gold medal in the women's 200-meter breaststroke.

"It's great to be back in a familiar place," said Olympic champion Wang Shun, who also hails from Zhejiang province. When discussing his goals for this year's Asian Games, he remained modest, saying, "We'll take it step by step." Wang will participate in two men's mixed relay events during the Games, with the 200-meter individual medley being the most closely watched.

Qin Haiyang, the emerging leader of the Chinese men's swimming team, expressed his belief that through the collective efforts of everyone, the Chinese swimming team can become more united, continuously improve, fulfill their goals for the Games, and build confidence for the Paris Olympics.

Xu Jiayu, a world champion from Zhejiang, will compete in multiple men's backstroke events and two mixed relay events. If he can maintain his form, he is expected to contend for two gold medals in the 50-meter and 100-meter backstroke events.

Zhang Yufei, known as the "Butterfly Queen," aims to compete for the title of Most Valuable Athlete at this year's Asian Games. She will participate in four individual events and three relay events.

Swimming competitions will take place from Sept 24 to 29, featuring a total of 41 events and 41 gold medals up for grabs. Except for Sept 26, when six gold medals will be awarded, the remaining five days of competition will see the crowning of seven gold medalists each day. In the 41 swimming events of the Games, the Chinese team leads Asia in 28 of them.

The Chinese swimming team arrives at the Hangzhou Asian Games Village on Sept 21. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]