China's Paralympic Swimming Team Prepares for Paris Competition

As one of the premier teams representing China at the Paralympics, the swimming squad has quickly adapted to the demands of competing in Paris. After a lengthy flight and battling jet lag, they are now in the Paralympic Village, ready for the events scheduled between August 29 and September 7 at the Paris La Defense Arena.

China will be fielding a total of 46 swimmers – 21 men and 25 women – making it the second-largest team in the competition after athletics. Wei Wei, a member of the coaching staff, mentioned that the team arrived in the Paralympic Village on the evening of August 21, and despite the hurdles posed by travel and adjusting to a new time zone, the athletes have acclimatized well and are looking forward to the impending competitions.

At the last Paralympic Games in Tokyo, the Chinese swimming team achieved a stellar performance, claiming 19 gold, 19 silver, and 18 bronze medals, which has raised the stakes for their performance in Paris. However, Wei emphasized the increased challenges they face this time, such as climate conditions, dietary adjustments, and changes in classification that could affect some of the gold medalists' chances to defend their titles.

The swimmers are slated to take part in more than 80 events throughout the Games. Lu Dong, known as the "armless mermaid," is a veteran of the Paralympics, having participated in previous events in London, Rio, and Tokyo and has won multiple golds. Reflecting on her experience, Lu mentioned that she feels well-prepared to compete after adjusting quickly to the time difference.

Additionally, Lu has treated herself to a special pedicure featuring the Paralympic logo, the Chinese flag, and vibrant designs symbolizing water, expressing her hope to achieve a personal best in her swims this time. Team China's youngest member, 15-year-old Jiang Hui, will compete in six events. This is her first Paralympic experience, and she is training rigorously, dedicating herself to hours in the pool each day, eager to better her own records.

The team also features experienced athletes like Jia Hongguang, a gold medalist from the Tokyo Games, who is participating in his fourth Paralympics. At 36, Jia acknowledges this could be his last competition and aims to inspire others with disabilities through his journey and achievements.

Preparation for the Paris Paralympics started earlier, with the swimming team establishing a comprehensive training regimen. Wei revealed that a team of scientific researchers has been working closely with the athletes to provide support in areas such as physiological testing and mental conditioning, as well as undertaking technical analysis to refine their skills. A recent competition in Beijing served as both a training opportunity and a means for the swimmers to sharpen their readiness for the upcoming Games.