At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Ye Shiwen established a new world record of 4:28.43 in the 400-meter individual medley. Her performance, characterized by an exceptionally fast final 50 meters, drew international attention and scrutiny. The Hangzhou-born athlete remains a significant figure in competitive swimming, having secured multiple medals across Asian Games and World Championship events.
Early Development and Training
Born in 1996 in Hangzhou, Ye began swimming at age six after a kindergarten teacher observed her physical attributes. She entered the Chen Jinglun Sport School, progressing to the Zhejiang provincial team by 2007. By 2008, she joined the Chinese national team. Her preparation included training stints in Brisbane, Australia, under the guidance of coaches Ken Wood and Denis Cotterell. These sessions focused on improving her backstroke and freestyle techniques.
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Take the IQ test →Breakthrough at the 2012 Olympic Games
Ye achieved two gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics. In the 400-meter individual medley, she lowered her personal best by several seconds to claim the world record. She also won the 200-meter individual medley, setting a new Olympic record of 2:07.57. Following concerns regarding her speed, the British Olympic Association confirmed she had passed all required drug tests, while observers noted her significant physical growth between 2010 and 2012 contributed to her athletic advancement.
Competitive Trajectory
Ye’s career features varying levels of success across international competitions. She earned gold at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships in the 200-meter individual medley. Following her 2012 success, she experienced challenges at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. However, she demonstrated a resurgence at the 2019 Chinese Nationals in Qingdao, where she won three individual gold medals, including a personal best in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Fast facts
- Born: 1996, Hangzhou
- Sport: Swimming
- Country: People's Republic of China
- Education: Tsinghua University
- 2012 Olympic Gold: 200m and 400m Individual Medley
- 2011 World Championship Gold: 200m Individual Medley
Questions readers ask
What record did Ye Shiwen set in 2012?
She set a world record in the 400-meter individual medley with a time of 4:28.43.
Did Ye Shiwen compete in the 2016 Olympics?
Yes, she competed in Rio de Janeiro, reaching the 200-meter individual medley final.
Achievements
- Competed at 2010 Asian Games, swimming at the 2016 Summer Olympics and swimming at the 2012 Summer Olympics – women's 200 metre individual medley
- Discipline: competitive swimming
