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Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle aims high while staying down-to-earth

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Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle aims high while staying down-to-earth

2024-08-12 22:12 Last Updated At:22:37

China's swimming prodigy Pan Zhanle said in an interview that he will aim high while staying down-to-earth as he strives for better achievements in future competitions.

Pan, who just turned 20 earlier this month, extended his momentum this season with two gold medals grabbed at the Paris Olympics, including a men's 100m freestyle victory with new world record.

Advancing through his career to the provincial and national teams, Pan entered a new chapter in 2023. In May, he broke the Asian record in the men's 100m freestyle at the Chinese National Championships with a time of 47.22 seconds and further improved his record at the Hangzhou Asian Games, winning the title with a time of 46.97 seconds.

He finished in 46.40 seconds to win the men's 100-meter freestyle at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, topping his 46.80 seconds record made in February at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

The Chinese swimming team returned to China on Aug 6 after completing all the competition tasks at the Paris Olympics.

In an interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Pan said he is not worried if someone breaks his record, but will work harder to hold his record as long as possible.

"There is bound to be someone who will break my record, because I created my record after having beaten other athletes' records step by step. What I'm going to do is to be able to hold the record as long as possible while I'm still active," said Pan.

When asked whether he would feel uncomfortable if his record is broken by others, Pan said that it is natural to feel uncomfortable, but he will first congratulate the athlete who breaks his record.

"No normal person would feel comfortable, but first of all, I will congratulate the athlete who can break my record. There has to be someone to lead the way, and then others can break out of the box. Just like I've reached this record now, I have to reach higher and farther in the future. And there will be someone to make breakthroughs, a Chinese from our country, or someone from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, or other countries," he said.

Making impossible possible is what athletes should do, he stressed.

Returning from Paris in triumph, Pan set his sight on a new goal – the 15th National Games in 2025.

When asked whether it will be less stressful to prepare for the National Games after winning in the big event of Olympic Games, Pan said he is still under much pressure.

"The pressure is also quite big, because I have not won the 100-meter freestyle at the National Games, although I have already won the World Aquatics Championships and the Olympics," he said.

"Normally, short-distance swimmers will reach their peak period at 22 to 24 years old, so I'm quite looking forward to it. Maybe it's a fixed mindset. But since others have said that 22 to 24 years old is the peak, I will take it, and prove it myself," said Pan.

Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle aims high while staying down-to-earth

Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle aims high while staying down-to-earth

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CIFTIS 2024 achieves nearly 1,000 results

2024-09-16 20:09 Last Updated At:20:37

The 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) held from Sept. 12 to 16 achieved nearly 1,000 results.

More than 2,000 enterprises joined offline exhibitions at the 2024 CIFTIS, with international enterprises accounting for over 20 percent.

More than 100,000 visitors were invited to the event, up 20 percent from last year.

The 2024 CIFTIS issued more than 200 integrated innovation outcomes in terms of developing new quality productivity.

Nearly 1,000 outcomes in seven categories including investment were reached during the event, mainly in fields including construction, finance, and commercial services.

Several authoritative reports including one on development of China's trade in services were issued at the event.

Themed "Global Services, Shared Prosperity," the 2024 CIFTIS was held at the China National Convention Center and the Shougang Park in Beijing from Sept. 12 to 16.

CIFTIS 2024 achieves nearly 1,000 results

CIFTIS 2024 achieves nearly 1,000 results

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