Chinese star Zhang Yufei on 'transitioning' back to enjoying swimming

People's Republic of China swimming star Zhang Yufei has an inseparable connection with the Olympics.

It began when she competed at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games in her home country.

“They opened a door for me to go to all the world stages," Zhang told Olympics.com.

"Since it was my first world-level Games, I still remember how happy I felt when I qualified. Looking back now, I am still very grateful for the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games because of how big they were and the advantage of being the host."

That exposure helped launch her senior career, which culminated in winning gold at Tokyo 2020.

At Paris 2024 she landed one silver and five bronze medals in her third Olympic appearance to become her nation's most decorated Olympian ever in terms of medals won with 10, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.

Zhang Yufei: A Lesson from Paris 2024

In the summer of 2024, Zhang embarked on her third Olympic journey, this time to the French captial.

However, the 26-year-old felt the crushing weight of expectation ahead of defending her 200m butterfly title. To compound matters, she was also suffering from menstruation pain and fever.

Despite these circumstances, Zhang was proud to secure a bronze medal.

"There is no other way, just keep pushing yourself to overcome and then when you finish each event, you will feel proud of yourself for being able to achieve such results in this state," she continued.

The Chinese swimmer learned an important lesson from this Olympics: how to swim in adversity.

Zhang Yufei's mixed feelings about sport

Zhang has a complicated relationship with swimming.

When the media asked if her gruelling training regime derived from her passion for the sport, she replied bluntly: "I don't like swimming."

When this question was asked again at Paris 2024, her answer was still firm: "No change, I still don't like swimming."

After the Games, Zhang took some time away from the water to pursue other interests.

On 4 October, she made a surprise appearance at the China Open tennis where she conducted the coin toss before fellow Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen's quarter-final.

"I've participated in a lot of activities and events, which made me feel that I am a person who is living a real life, and not just swimming every day," Zhang continued.

"I am in the transition period now, and I want to integrate my life and training together, so that I can better enjoy my life, competitions, and training."

LA 2028 on the cards?

Despite her six medals, Zhang was not entirely happy with her performance at Paris 2024.

"Maybe the biggest regret for me is the mixed relay, because everyone had very high expectations for this before the competition, and then we won the silver for two consecutive times," she said.

"It was a pity, and I was still in that competitive energy, so I said I still wanted to go to Los Angeles."

With a more balanced approach towards life, Zhang has confirmed that she wants to compete at the LA2028 Olympics.

"Now after two months, I have calmed down. I still want to go to Los Angeles. It's not to makeup for that regret. Maybe I will say that I want to go to LA with my own wishes and some goals that I want to achieve."