Chinese swimmers (from left) Xu Jiayu, Qin Haiyang, Sun Jiajun, and Pan Zhanle celebrate on the podium after winning the men's 4x100m medley relay at the Paris Olympics on Aug 4, 2024. [Photo/IC]

Shanghai swimmer Qin Haiyang made a remarkable comeback at the Paris Olympics, helping the Chinese swimming quartet to end the US' domination in the men's 4x100m medley relay. 

Qin Haiyang, a breaststroke world champion, and his teammates, backstroke veteran Xu Jiayu, butterfly specialist Sun Jiajun, and Pan Zhanle, the 100m freestyle gold medalist, came from behind to pull off an inspiring victory in the 4x100m medley relay, ahead of the United States and France. 

The victory ended the US team's 64-year stranglehold on the men's medley relay at the Olympics.

"I think our team is very competitive, and I didn't need to be nervous," said Qin in a post-game interview. He has regained the confidence that he lost after earlier individual events. 

Qin, who won the gold treble in the men's 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke events at last year's World Aquatics Championships, finished only seventh at the 100m breaststroke event in Paris and he failed to make it to the final of the 200m breaststroke, two events he was deemed the favorite to win. 

"I was in agony and full of remorse (after the games). I screwed it up. I wanted so much to bring home gold for my team and my country," Qin said. 

After the disastrous beginning in Paris, Qin had little time to pull himself together. He rebuilt his confidence thanks to the support of his teammates. 

"The whole team still trusted me and believed I could get back on my feet in the relay events. This experience of growth is so valuable, even more valuable than the gold," said Qin. 

Qin and his teammates clinched the silver in the mixed 4x100m medley relay event on Aug 3, breaking the Asian record. He went on and helped win the men's 4x100m medley relay the next day. 

Qin's rebound mirrored the trajectory of the Chinese swimming team at the Paris Olympics, which withstood the impacts of false doping accusations and a poor start before rallying to win a record high of 12 medals in Olympics. 

After finishing his journey of redemption in Paris, Qin is looking forward to a brighter future.

"I have learned a lot from this year's Games. I hope I could become the 'king of breaststroke' one day, but there is a long way to go and a lot to learn. I need to keep improving myself to achieve that," said Qin. 

Qin Haiyang in action during the men's 4x100m medley relay final at Paris Olympics on Aug 4, 2024. [Photo/IC]

Sun Jiajun (left), Qin Haiyang, and Xu Jiayu (right) celebrate after winning the men's 4x100m medley relay at the Paris Olympics on Aug 4, 2024. [Photo/IC]