Age does not diminish the passion

Editor's note: The 15th National Games will commence on Sunday. Sun Yang, an athlete associated with Zhejiang College of Sports, spoke to China Daily's Li Huixian ahead of the games. He is also an Olympic gold medalist, having won the men's 200-meter freestyle at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 400m and 1,500m freestyle events at the 2012 London Olympics. This is an excerpt of his interview.

I recently received a pair of Chinese white dolphin dolls, mascots of the 15th National Games that symbolize the shared roots and unity of the three host regions — Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The National Games are held every four years, but this edition is the largest to date and has garnered significant national attention.

With torchbearers from various walks of life, including sanitation workers and delivery riders, the event takes a decidedly people-centered approach with the aim of encouraging broader participation in sports. It is also expected to enhance public fitness facilities in local communities, and serve as a platform to promote nationwide fitness and intensify public enthusiasm for sports.

Over the next two weeks, the National Games have great potential to boost tourism, hotel and catering services and related intellectual property development, as well as create opportunities for hosting high-level sports events and training programs in the future. The collaboration among the three regions is likely to foster new models for the integration of culture, tourism, technology and sports commerce.

Amid the strong enthusiasm surrounding the event, I arrived in Guangdong province with the Zhejiang swimming team. This is my fifth National Games. Approaching 34, I am the oldest swimmer in the contingent but it feels like a new beginning. My body is ready to push its limits, and I am committed to training even harder. For me, age is just a number, a reminder to focus on races that play to my strengths. My passion for swimming keeps driving me forward. If there's a pool available, I train every day. A day without that immersion feels incomplete.

The biggest challenge I face is the physical wear and tear, and slower muscle recovery compared to younger athletes. It is natural that performance declines with age — a reality everyone, not just athletes, must confront and accept. The key is finding ways to slow down this decline. To prepare for the National Games, I increased both the duration and intensity of my training regimen. I was determined to prove that challenges brought by age are not insurmountable.

In China, what began with a few standout swimmers has now blossomed into a constellation of swimming stars. This evolution is essential for building a strong team. I feel honored and fortunate to contribute to Chinese men's swimming and showcasing its potential on the global stage.

The team is rich in diversity and resilience. Today's swimmers span generations — a blend of youth and experience that propels Chinese swimming forward. This transition is not merely about replacement; it is a relay, an elevation — much like the flame ceremony of the National Games. But while the games' torch relay follows a fixed route, our journey has no finish line. We hope to pass the baton to the younger generations, trusting they will hold it firmly and carry it forward. Each generation of swimmers brings new glory, making the flame burn ever brighter.

Despite my age, I still train hard. The true value of an athlete is beyond competitions in the experience gained through years of training and pressure — learning how to handle stress, adjust the mindset, and persevere through adversity. Younger athletes have fearless energy and a greater ability to embrace new technologies. Their vitality, in turn, inspires us. This creates a virtuous cycle of mutual encouragement and growth.

With improved training conditions, it might be hard for the younger generations to appreciate the resilience and spirit that experienced sports-persons hold dear. However, when we share the pool, the interactions can help them learn about our training methods, the journeys we have undertaken and the experiences that might benefit them. I aim to stand alongside the younger swimmers, progressing together in a way that is both vibrant and relaxed.

I always remember the giants of Chinese swimming who bent down to help me when I was chasing my dream. Without those trailblazing pioneers, there would be no Sun Yang of today, nor the rising prominence of Chinese swimming on the world stage.

The journey to dispel doubts and prove that Asian swimmers can compete with world-class athletes has been incredibly rewarding. As a youngster, I had watched Park Tae-hwan of the Republic of Korea, an Olympic gold medalist in swimming. Eventually, I competed against him in the same arena. That's why a dream is life's greatest gift, and its most faithful companion.

When I won my first major gold medal in Guangzhou, I was 19. At that time, I had promised myself that I would give everything to continue swimming. I will once again fulfill that promise at the 15th National Games.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.