Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 22 (reporter Zhou Xin) on the afternoon of the 22nd, Zhang Lin, the first men’s swimming world champion in Chinese swimming history, came to Beijing No. 8 high school to tell the stories behind road to the Cup for his classmates, and encourage everyone to “stick to it for Dreams”.
Zhang Lin was the runner-up of the men’s 400 m freestyle swimming in Beijing Olympic Games, which achieved a historical breakthrough for Chinese men’s swimming; He won the gold medal of the men’s 800 m freestyle with the result of breaking the world record in the 2009 world swimming championships, he became the first man to swim in China, and his world record has been maintained so far.
From the experience of almost drowning when learning swimming for the first time, Zhang Lin told how to overcome her fear and become the champion step by step. “I was lucky to find my hobby-swimming when I was 6 years old. I find it very comfortable in the water, really like a duck to water. So the first step to success is to find something you love.”
“After finding your favorite things, you should invest 100% and act for your dreams. When you encounter difficulties, stick to your goals and stick to them.”
Zhang Lin said frankly that she had encountered difficulties and pressures many times. “When I was 16 years old, I participated in the 2003 world swimming championships for the first time. Because the strong opponent unexpectedly missed the record in the preliminary competition, I was lucky to enter the 800 m freestyle final. Originally, I was still smug, I didn’t expect that after entering the final, I was suddenly confused by cheer sound of tens of thousands of spectators. After entering the water, I couldn’t find my own rhythm and forgot the tactical arrangement arranged by the coach, the first 200 meters swam faster than the world record, and I couldn’t be found any more later.”
In 2005, Zhang Lin participated in the National Games for the first time and was highly expected by everyone. He was under great pressure before the Games. He was timid once, but he finally defeated himself and achieved a breakthrough.
“What to do when you encounter difficulties and pressures? It is normal to feel uncomfortable and want to cry. You can go home and cry to vent, but you still have to face life the next day and come back again. As an athlete, every lesson and every day I am breaking through my limits. I will try my best or even use my life to realize my dream step by step according to the plan.”
After retirement, Zhang Lin started the “Zhang Lin swimming club” at the 1872 Club of Beijing Youlai Park, from his personal swimming experience to guiding ordinary people to learn swimming, then to face the middle school students, his experience is: “trust teachers, trust parents and believe in yourself. Especially the higher your trust in the teacher, the greater your chances of success. Be sure to cherish your youth now and stick to it for dreams!”