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| China's Ye Shiwen poses with her gold medal on the podium during the women's 400m individual medley victory ceremony at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre, on July 28, 2012. (Photo/ Xinhua) |
On the women's side, 16-year-old Ye's record-breaking victory in the 400m individual medley triggered a worldwide buzz as her powerful sprint over the final 50m was faster than male gold winner Ryan Lochte in the equivalent.
The teenager added another title in the 200m IM and smashed the Olympic record. Meanwhile, teammate Jiao Liuyang turned her Beijing Olympics' silver medal into gold in the 200m butterfly.
Finishing second to the all-powerful US team was a great result for China, but it wasn't all smooth sailing.
John Leonard, a US coach, was among pundits who alleged Ye's performance might have been due to doping, which spoilt Chinese celebrations somewhat.
However, Ye passed her tests and renowned figures came to support the Zhejiang native.
"(The suspicions) will always be there when you swim extremely well," Russia's four-time Olympic champion swimmer, Alexander Popov, said at the Games. "Just simply keep your head down, and keep training and keep producing results. I am sure Chinese swimming is capable of much more of what we saw here."
Australian world champion James Magnussen backed Ye as well.
"She's certainly a world-class performer and I think any time she dives in the pool there's a chance of a world record," the Shanghai Worlds' 100m free winner said.
"(This year) they had quite a few great performances at the Olympics. They had Sun as well, so, I think it's important for them and it's important to set a precedent for the future of swimming in China. They're certainly turning into one of the powerhouse countries at the moment."
Bigger splashes still ahead
A new generation, led by Sun and Ye, has stepped to the fore and it seems the best is yet to come for Chinese swimming.
Female teenagers Li Xuanxu (18) and Tang Yi (19) pocketed bronze medals in the 400 IM and 100m free respectively in London. They have joined Ye among the new generation of rising stars. That also includes 4x200m free final team member Wang Shijia, 19, and 100m backstroke finalist Fu Yuanhui, 16.
On the men's side, 17-year-old Hao moved on from the Olympics to claim the 400m free silver medal at the Istanbul World Short-course Championships this month to become the first male Chinese swimmer to finish on the podium in a 25m pool.
Jiang Haiqi, 20, and Li Yunqi, 19, members of China's 4x200m bronze team, are likely to improve further by training overseas - like Sun - next year.
Moreover, 21-year-old Sun said his full potential is yet to be realized and has set his sights on smashing his own mark.
"Possibly, I will refresh it (1,500m record) soon. I won't be waiting to do it at the next Olympics," he said after sweeping the 200m, 400m and 1,500m free events in meet record times at the Asian Championships last month.
"I know clearly where I am (in conditioning and skill level). I am on an upward path with room to be better. London was just the beginning. I will be at my prime in Rio (2016)."
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