King of Sports 121 Arriving At The Provincial Team

"Maybe not on the same level but 2nd isn't bad." His mother said in a teasing tone.

Her reply immediately earned a burst of laughter from everyone present.

After sending away the visiting Deputy Secretary and his party, Tang Yan settled down some plans for his next year.

Considering where he was at with archery, it wasn't too challenging for him. So he could set it aside and for next year, focus on boxing and swimming as his main priorities.

Especially swimming, he was just getting started so he needed to create a firm foundation, plus next year's World Aquatics Championships would also be very crucial.

He called Qin Hailong and Tian Zhenzhe and explained the situation with the provincial swimming team.

Qin Hailong was fine but Tian Zhenzhe wasn't pleased but he didn't really have much choice but to acquiesce, with the requirement that Tang Yan maintained his current form and stayed competition ready. 

....

Tang Yan enjoyed the Chinese New Year with his parents and surrounded by a sea of relatives.

He was dragged along with his parents to the temple to light incense.

After asking for some ancestral blessings, he set off again, for the provincial swimming team.

Sports was all-encompassing, but whether for good or bad there was a link between performance and money.

Which is why most top athletes for example in gymnastics and weightlifting were mostly from relatively economically-developed provinces.

It was more obvious in sports like fencing, swimming and equestrian which showed the clear divide.

As one of the more economically developed provinces, the Zhejiang Province was an absolutely dominating force in Chinese swimming.

From the likes of Zhang Lin, Liu Zige, Jiao Liuyang who were proven veterans of the sports with a wide array of achievements.

To Ye Shiwen and Sun Yang, who were rising stars, all were from the Zhejiang Province.

So although Tang Yan was invited onto the provincial team, if he wanted to establish a foothold and earn his way into the main team, he would have to defeat some exceptionally skilled people.

The provincial team was bound to be extremely competitive and intense with everyone vying for a spot. 

Strength would determine everything.

The arrival of Tang Yan attracted some excitement from the provincial swimming team members.

They saw Tang Yan's performance at the Asian Games and were glad to run into him again.

However, when Shen Qing announced that Tang Yan was joining the swimming team, their reactions changed.

Sun Yang, Ye Shiwen and Liu Zige, those who he had talked with at the Asian Games were the exceptions but everyone else tensed up.

Losing the smile they held previously at his arrival. 

More competition and another hand trying to grab their position.

With his previous experience with Pan Yu. He had long expected such reactions. 

But he humbled himself and with a smile greeted everyone.

After introducing Tang Yan to the team, Shen Qing made another announcement.

The 2011 World Aquatics Championships would be held in Shanghai.

It would be a home competition for the Chinese team.

In order to select the team for the World Championships, they would hold a national swimming trial in April.

If you wanted to participate in the World Championships, you not only have to win a spot on the team in the national trials but also meet the A grade criteria of the World Championships.

According to the rules, if there were two swimmers in a country who achieved the A grade standard, China would get the two World Championships seats for the corresponding event; however if they only achieved the B grade criteria, only one swimmer could qualify.

For the 50m freestyle, the World Championship A grade time was 22 seconds 35 but there were no Chinese swimmers who had achieved this, the closest was Lu Zhibin who scored 22 seconds 37 at the Asian Games.

Because the A and B grades had to be achieved in a FINapproved competition, it was particularly important they held the National championships before the World Championships.

"The last World Championships, there were 5 swimmers from our team. I know a lot of you wanted a spot last time so take this as another chance to prove yourselves!" said Shen Qing.

After dismissing everyone he waved Tang Yan over to his office.

Shen Qing's preferential treatment of Tang Yan attracted many eyes.

"Come, sit." 

Tang Yan thanked him and sat down opposite Shen Qing.

"So what event do you want to do." Shen Qing said directly, after sitting down.

"I heard from Guo Yong that your 50-meter freestyle is quite strong. Do you want to set this as your main event for this year's championship." Shen Qing asked with clear enthusiasm.

In long distance events, the team had a new star in Sun Yang, but for short distance events, the talent pool was almost empty.

Which is why after learning about Tang Yan's strength, he was very eager to get him in. 

"That..." Tang Yan smiled a little embarrassed, and said, "Is there any restrictions on registration?"

"Yes, but based on your performance at the city team, with a bit of work aiming for the 50m A grade shouldn't be a problem." Shen Qing added.

Whilst the World Championships had it's criteria, likewise the national championships, also had an A grade threshold.

However, the threshold was lower. For 50 meters, the A grade criteria was 23 seconds 55, over a second more than the World Championships.

"But I missed the provincial team trials. Isn't it too late to sign up?"

"No, if you can cut down your time and meet the threshold, there will be no issue in getting you in." Shen Qing explained with a small smile.

"Oh~" Tang Yan's expression showed realization.

"Of course, you have to cut down your time to meet the A grade criteria.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

"So as long as I meet all the time standards, I can enter for an event."

"Yeah."

"Is there a limit on the number of events" 

"Limit on the number of events ??"

"I mean...can I do multiple distances"

Tang Yan's mind was racing ahead, if he could achieve the time standards and compete in multiple swimming disciplines, how many honor points would that be then.

Wouldn't he be swimming in them.

As he thought ahead, he didn't notice that Shen Qing, who was sitting opposite him, was looking at him like he was a monster.

Chapter end