Chinese athletes made a strong impression at the kickoff of the 2024 World Athletics Diamond League series, held on Saturday in Xiamen, Fujian Province, with standout performances from Liu Dezhu and Gong Lijiao.
With the Paris Olympics track and field events scheduled for August 1 to 11 at the Stade de France, Chinese track and field stars are intensifying their training to prepare for the global stage.
Following Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis’s world record-breaking leap of 6.24 meters, Chinese distance runner Liu Dezhu set a new national record in the 800 meters, clocking in at 1:45.66, surpassing the previous record set by Teng Haining ten years ago.
In addition to Liu’s achievement, the Chinese contingent, hosting the event, secured one gold and three bronze medals. Gong Lijiao clinched the women’s shot put gold with a throw of 19.72 meters, while Huang Bokai, Feng Bin, and Su Wen claimed bronze in men’s pole vault, women’s discus throw, and men’s triple jump, respectively.
The outdoor track and field season, transitioning from indoor events, has witnessed remarkable performances. However, Liu’s record-setting time falls short of the Olympic qualification standard of 1:44.70. Coach Shi Peng reiterated the team’s commitment to securing Olympic berths through competitive opportunities and world ranking points.
As the outdoor season progresses, Chinese athletes are accelerating their pursuit of Olympic qualifications. Xie Zhenye, the Asian record holder in the men’s 200 meters, secured his spot at the Olympics with a 20.15-second finish in the US in April. Additionally, Chen Jiapeng’s 10.08-second sprint in the 100 meters marks him as the fifth Chinese male sprinter to break the 10.10-second barrier.
Despite these promising results, challenges persist, notably for the men’s 4×100-meter relay team. Comprising Xie and veteran sprinter Su Bingtian, the team faces the final qualification push at the World Relay Championships in May, following a disappointing performance in March.
With another Diamond League event scheduled in Suzhou this weekend, Chinese athletes have fresh opportunities to secure Olympic qualifications with improved performances.
Enhancing squad depth remains a priority for Chinese athletics, with upcoming events, including the 2027 World Championships in Beijing. To excel at the Paris Olympics, Chinese athletes must continue to strive for excellence, propelled by their resilience and unwavering determination.