“Chongren native” National Games champion presents flowers to his former coach.

Young athletes at Chongren Center welcome Sun Jiajun “home”.

“No matter how far you swim or how heavy the gold medal is, you never forget where you came from.” On November 26th, a veteran swimming coach brought Yan Zibei, Sun Jiajun, Peng Xuwei, Huang Zichun, Ke Wenxi and other “Chongren native” National Games champions and athletes back to where their dreams began – the Hubei Chongren Sports Training Center.

Since its establishment in 1956, Chongren Center has trained 12 Olympic champions who have won 20 Olympic gold medals, along with numerous world champions from various competitions. In the recently concluded 15th National Games, Chongren swimming achieved another outstanding result of 4 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze medals. As a traditional activity at Chongren Center, this year’s “Champions Return Home” event was specially held after the National Games. The center director stated: “Standing at the starting point of a new cycle, we hope to bring surprises to young athletes through this event and pass on the glorious baton. This is not just a ‘triumphant return journey’ but also a ‘spiritual relay.'”

On the familiar Champions Avenue, Coach Zheng Shan held flowers in her left hand while holding Yan Zibei’s hand with her right. Mentor and student walked side by side, retracing the training path they had walked countless times.

“Twenty years have passed both quickly and slowly,” Zheng Shan reflected. “What’s fast is that the little boy who was less than ten years old has now become a coach like me; what’s slow is that every memory at Chongren remains as clear as yesterday.” In 2005, Zheng Shan selected Yan Zibei in Xiangyang and brought him to Chongren. Now, 30-year-old Yan Zibei led his team to win the most significant gold medal in the men’s 4×100m medley relay at the 15th National Games. While bringing his athletic career to a perfect conclusion, he has transitioned to become a youth team coach for Hubei swimming. “I hope to share my path and experience with more young athletes. I want to tell them that dreams start from here, and they should pursue a better future with passion,” Yan Zibei said.

Yan Zibei practiced what he preached. Together with the Chongren athletes who returned with honors from the 15th National Games, he entered the swimming pool to provide technical guidance and interact warmly with the young athletes in the elite training group. Meanwhile, Zheng Shan exchanged coaching insights and passed on experience with all the swimming coaches.

Ke Wenxi, who won the bronze medal in the women’s 400m individual medley at the 15th National Games, is only 14 years old this year. Pointing at her childhood idol Yan Zibei, she said: “When training at Chongren, we often watched his competitions. When we got tired, we would think about how hard he worked, and then we could keep going.” Now that her idol has become her senior, Ke Wenxi will never forget what Yan Zibei told her before her final – just one word: “Charge!”

The baton has quietly been passed to the new generation. In the swimming lanes, water splashes everywhere as young athletes sprint with all their might.

Zhang Yuqiao, a fifth-grade student at Stadium Elementary School, trains under the coach who originally discovered Sun Jiajun. Her coach said that Zhang Yuqiao is a “stubborn kid” who repeats exercises over and over until they’re perfect if she doesn’t get them right. Every day on her way to training, she looks at the photos of Yan Zibei and Sun Jiajun on the Champions Wall. “When my explosive power isn’t enough,

Chongren Center

I am unable to provide a specific summary for the “Chongren Center,” as this name could refer to several different places, such as a cultural center, a business district, or a residential area, potentially in China. For an accurate summary, more specific details about its location or purpose would be needed. If you are referring to a historical site, it may be associated with the ancient Chongren County in China, known for its cultural heritage and traditional architecture.

Hubei Chongren Sports Training Center

The Hubei Chongren Sports Training Center is a modern sports facility in Hubei Province, China, primarily used for athlete training and development. It was established to support China’s sporting programs and has played a role in nurturing athletes for regional and national competitions. While specific historical details are limited, it reflects China’s broader investment in sports infrastructure since the late 20th century.

National Games

The National Games are a major domestic multi-sport event held in China, first organized in 1959 to promote sports development and select athletes for international competitions like the Olympics. Typically held every four years, the Games feature a wide range of sports and are hosted by different provinces, showcasing China’s top athletic talent and fostering national pride.

Olympic champions

“Olympic champions” refers to the elite athletes who have won a gold medal at the modern Olympic Games, first revived in 1896. These individuals represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement in their respective sports, embodying the Olympic motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (Faster, Higher, Stronger). Their victories are celebrated globally and often become defining moments in sporting history, symbolizing international unity and human potential.

Champions Avenue

I am unable to provide a specific summary for “Champions Avenue” as it is a common name for streets in various cities and does not refer to one unique, well-known cultural or historical site. For example, there is a Champions Avenue associated with the Melbourne Cricket Ground, honoring Australian sports legends. To give an accurate summary, please specify the city or context for this particular Champions Avenue.

Xiangyang

Xiangyang is a historic city in Hubei Province, China, strategically located at the confluence of the Han and Yangtze Rivers. It is renowned for its ancient city walls, which date back over 2,800 years to the Eastern Han Dynasty, and famously withstood a prolonged Mongol siege during the 13th century. Today, it is a major cultural site that preserves its rich history while serving as a modern industrial center.

Stadium Elementary School

Stadium Elementary School is a public elementary school located in the Stadium District of Tacoma, Washington. It was originally constructed in 1906 and is a notable example of the Jacobethan Revival architectural style, reflecting the area’s early 20th-century growth. The school has served its community for over a century, with its historic building being listed on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places.

Champions Wall

The Champions Wall is a tradition at many sports venues, most famously at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where plaques are mounted to commemorate teams that have won major competitions. It began at the MCG in 2001 to honor Australian Football League (AFL) and cricket premiers, serving as a permanent tribute to sporting excellence and history. The concept has since been adopted by other clubs and stadiums worldwide to celebrate their own champions.