Reigning 100m freestyle World Champion Ning Zetao of China has assured fans that he is ready to go after gold at the 2016 Olympic Games. In response to social media reports alleging Zetao was to be cut from the Chinese Olympic roster due to undertaking too many commercial engagements, Zetao has denied these reports, saying he is ‘striving for glory.’
Nicknamed “Baozi” or “steamed bun”, Zetao states via social media that “the Olympics is without a doubt the biggest dream of a lifetime for all athletes and is my greatest motivation in training hard and swimming forward each day.” (Reuters)
He continued, “As for some rumors, the ‘Steamed Bun’ does not want to respond because it would only create more noise amid preparations for the Olympics. Now is a critical time in preparations for us athletes. People all around the country are paying attention, it’s once in four years, and there can be no mistakes!”
Zetao will be facing Australian rival Cameron McEvoy and American speedster Nathan Adrian in his 100m freestyle specialty come Rio. Zetao edged out McEvoy in Kazan last year, winning the world title in a time of 47.84. Most recently at China’s Olympic Trials in April, Zetao put up a semi-final time of 47.96 and ultimately scratched the final with his roster spot assured.
Below is one of Zetao’s recent Facebook posts on the subject of competing at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Ning Zetao is a super SportStar in China and draws great attentions of Chinese people. Unlike star athletes in US, Images of Chinese athletes are the ASSETS of China swim team, therefore athletes can’t take commercial engagements themselves but have to be represented by the team… It’s been China swim team’s practice for a long time even though it’s a violation of human right.
Supporters condemned the administration of China swim team for its manipulation of Athletes’ entitlement to Olympics based on its dark and inhuman rules.
Its hard to comprehaNing Zetao is a super SportStar in China and draws great attentions of Chinese people. Unlike star athletes in US, Images of Chinese athletes are the ASSETS of China swim team, therefore athletes can’t take commercial engagements themselves but have to be represented by the team… It’s been China swim team’s practice for a long time even though it’s a violation of human right.
Supporters condemned the administration of China swim team for its manipulation of Athletes’ entitlement to Olympics based on its dark and inhuman rules.
He look a lot skinnier
Yeah I noticed that too. Wonder if it’s the taper?
You have to wonder if that body type is something the Chinese think is optimal for speed. Contrast to Sun Yang and the comments people made about him having added muscle mass after he swam in Santa Clara. We can see which one performs better in a month. Also I am sure the flag size is impacting your perception he really should be standing with a few of the other sprinters so we can get an idea of where he is at with his size
I think he is a smaller guy. The 100 free final at olympics should feature some slighter guys.
McEvoy, Ning, and Morozov aren’t huge and even Dressel is smaller compared to some of the sprinters in recent memory.
I’m waiting for the same outrage that commenters were leveling against Park Tae-Hwan.
Cricket sound…….
This isnt an article about doping its just a press release about a swimmer that was previously convicted. I think for the most part people just ignore these. Same with Hozzsu PR articles..just ignore
Its best not to feed the trolls.
dope cheat