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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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Beijing consumer gold market remains hot despite rising prices

2024-09-17 04:15 Last Updated At:08:17

Beijing's consumer gold market has been running hot during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, despite recent rises in the gold price on international markets.

Last week, the main contract for gold futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange (COMEX) has risen to over 2,600 U.S. dollars per ounce.

At a gold shop in Beijing's Xicheng District, the price of pure gold jewelry went up to about 737 yuan (about 104 U.S. dollars) per gram, but many shoppers are still looking to buy gold jewelry especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday and the end-of-summer wedding season.

"It is now more than 700 yuan (about 98.7 U.S. dollars) per gram, but when we were here about two months ago, it was only just above 600 yuan (about 84.6 U.S. dollars) per gram," said a customer.

"I'm getting married, so I came to have a look. Even if the price goes up, we still have to buy it," said another customer.

"I had nothing to do during the holidays, so I came here to take a look [at the gold jewelry]. I just bought a lucky charm bead and now I want to take a look at the bracelet," said another customer.

At the shop's gold investment counter, many consumers have been making inquiries about gold bars, which has long been considered a safe investment, although experts recommend caution in the rising gold market.

At the shop's gold investment counter, many consumers have been inquiring about gold bars, which have long been considered a safe investment. However, experts recommend caution in the rising gold market.

"Many investors will buy gold bars for medium- to long-term investment based on their expected price as part of their overall family asset allocation. We suggest that investors be more rational in their decisions," said Li Yang, a senior gold investment analyst.

Beijing consumer gold market remains hot despite rising prices

Beijing consumer gold market remains hot despite rising prices

Beijing consumer gold market remains hot despite rising prices

Beijing consumer gold market remains hot despite rising prices

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