A recap of Yichang Olympians’ past glories
2024-07-23 17:07:00
By Tan Maolin, Yichang Three Gorges International Communication Studio
For athletes, the Olympics is the ultimate honor. How many athletes from Yichang have competed in the Olympics and how well have they performed?
Wei Yili was the first Yichang native to participate in the Olympics. She competed in women's doubles badminton at the 2004 Athens Olympics and finished fourth. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she won a bronze medal in the same event, making her the first Olympic medalist from Yichang.
Zhao Yunlei competed in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics. In London, Zhao won two gold medals in badminton - one in mixed doubles and another in women's doubles - becoming the first Olympic champion from Yichang. She also won a bronze medal in mixed doubles at the Rio Olympics.
Zhou Jun participated in weightlifting at the 2012 London Olympics, making her the first Yichang athlete to compete in Olympic weightlifting.
Tian Tao competed in weightlifting at the 2016 Rio Olympics and won a silver medal in the men's 85kg category.
Wang Zhouyu became Yichang's first Olympic weightlifting champion by winning a gold medal in the women's 87kg weightlifting event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Du Yue participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and finished fifth in women's doubles badminton.
Sun Jiajun competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first Yichang swimmer to compete in the Olympics. He finished seventh in his group in the men's 100m butterfly semifinal.
So far, seven Yichang athletes have competed in five consecutive Olympics, winning a total of six medals - three gold, one silver, and two bronze. Their achievements have brought great honor to their hometown and continue to inspire future generations of athletes from Yichang.
Looking ahead to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Sun Jiajun is expected to compete again, while Xiong Shiqi will make her Olympic debut, becoming the first athlete from Hubei to compete in the long jump event. Qin Cong will participate as a coach for the Chinese shooting team, making him the first Yichang shooting coach to participate in the Olympics.
For athletes, the Olympics is the ultimate honor. How many athletes from Yichang have competed in the Olympics and how well have they performed?
Zhao Yunlei competed in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics. In London, Zhao won two gold medals in badminton - one in mixed doubles and another in women's doubles - becoming the first Olympic champion from Yichang. She also won a bronze medal in mixed doubles at the Rio Olympics.
Zhou Jun participated in weightlifting at the 2012 London Olympics, making her the first Yichang athlete to compete in Olympic weightlifting.
Tian Tao competed in weightlifting at the 2016 Rio Olympics and won a silver medal in the men's 85kg category.
Wang Zhouyu became Yichang's first Olympic weightlifting champion by winning a gold medal in the women's 87kg weightlifting event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Du Yue participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and finished fifth in women's doubles badminton.
Sun Jiajun competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first Yichang swimmer to compete in the Olympics. He finished seventh in his group in the men's 100m butterfly semifinal.
So far, seven Yichang athletes have competed in five consecutive Olympics, winning a total of six medals - three gold, one silver, and two bronze. Their achievements have brought great honor to their hometown and continue to inspire future generations of athletes from Yichang.
Looking ahead to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Sun Jiajun is expected to compete again, while Xiong Shiqi will make her Olympic debut, becoming the first athlete from Hubei to compete in the long jump event. Qin Cong will participate as a coach for the Chinese shooting team, making him the first Yichang shooting coach to participate in the Olympics.
