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Lin ZHANG
Sport Swimming
NOC China   
GenderMen
Born06 Jan 1987 in Beijing, CHN
Height1.87 m
Weight 77 kg
 Human Interest 
General Interest
Hobbies
 Reading books, playing computer games. (FINA Aquatics World Magazine, 03 Jul 2010)
Other information
 NATIONAL FIRST
His record-breaking swim in the 800m at the 2009 World Championships made him the first Chinese swimmer to break a freestyle world record in 49 years. He finished in 7:32.12, beating the previous record, set by Australia's Grant Hackett in 2005, by over six seconds. In 2007 he became the first Chinese swimmer to be granted permission to train outside of China, when he teamed up with Australian coach Denis Cotterell. (themalayantimes.com, 39 Jul 2009)

ASTHMA
He suffered from exercise-induced asthma in 2012. (sports.people.com.cn, 06 Sep 2013)
Injuries
 In October 2008 he required minimally invasive surgery on his ankle. (data.sports.163.com, 14 Jul 2011)
Hero / Idol
 Australian swimmer Grant Hackett. (FINA Aquatics World Magazine, 07 Dec 2010)
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?
 He began swimming at age six.
International Debut
Year
 2003
Competing for
 China
Location
 Barcelona
General Interest
Nicknames
 Liu in the Pool - after his 2009 World Championship success he was said to be as famous as Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang. (peopledaily.com.cn, 05 Aug 2009)
Further Personal Information
Higher education
 Language Studies - English, Literature - Tianjin Foreign Studies University: China
General Interest
Sporting philosophy / motto
 "Believe in yourself." (FINA Aquatics World Magazine, 07 Dec 2010)
Further Personal Information
Residence
 Beijing, CHN
Sport Specific Information
Why this sport?
 His mother encouraged him to learn to swim to make him stronger.
Further Personal Information
Occupation
 Athlete
General Interest
Memorable sporting achievement
 Winning a silver medal in the 400m freestyle at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. (sports.people.com.cn, 05 Apr 2012)
Further Personal Information
Languages
 Mandarin
General Interest
Ambitions
 To compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. (100xin.com, 23 Oct 2013)
International Debut
Tournament
 World Championships

 Competition Highlights
Olympic Games
Rank Year Venue Event Result
2 2008 Beijing, CHN 400m Freestyle 3:42.44
7 2008 Beijing, CHN 1500m Freestyle 14:55.20
Heats 2008 Beijing, CHN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay  
26 2004 Athens, GRE 400m Freestyle 3:56.65 
Heats 2004 Athens, GRE 200m Freestyle 1:53.84
World Championships
Rank Year Venue Event Result
3 2011 Shanghai, CHN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:05.67
5 2009 Rome, ITA 1500m Freestyle 14:54.23
1 2009 Rome, ITA 800m Freestyle 7:32.12
3 2009 Rome, ITA 400m Freestyle 3:41.35
Heats 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 1500m Freestyle 15:13.27
Heats 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 400m Freestyle 3:49.08
6 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 200m Freestyle 1:47.53
Heats 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay  
19 2005 Montreal, CAN 400m Freestyle 3:51.88 
8 2005 Montreal, CAN 200m Freestyle 1:49.45
6 2005 Montreal, CAN 1500m Freestyle 15:09.79 
Heat 2005 Montreal, CAN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:22.13
8 2003 Barcelona, ESP 800m Freestyle 8:04.10
Heats 2003 Barcelona, ESP 1500m Freestyle 15:37.03
Heats 2003 Barcelona, ESP 400m Freestyle 3:55.41
World Championships Short Course
Rank Year Venue Event Result
4 2006 Shanghai, CHN 400m Freestyle 3:42.57
3 2006 Shanghai, CHN 1500m Freestyle 14:42.82
12 2006 Shanghai, CHN 200m Freestyle 1:47.31
4 2006 Shanghai, CHN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:05.94
11 2004 Indianapolis, IN, USA 1500m Freestyle 15:28.94
26 2004 Indianapolis, IN, USA 200m Freestyle 1:50.59
15 2004 Indianapolis, IN, USA 400m Freestyle 3:50.32
7 2004 Indianapolis, IN, USA 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:19.15
7 2004 Indianapolis, IN, USA 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:20.47
World Cup Short Course
Rank Year Venue Event Result
1 2005/2006 Berlin, GER 1500m Freestyle 14:36.12
1 2005/2006 Stockholm, SWE 400m Freestyle 3:41.58
2 2005/2006 Stockholm, SWE 200m Freestyle 1:45.14
3 2004/2005 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 400m Freestyle 3:46.31
1 2002/2003 Shanghai, CHN 1500m Freestyle 15:00.24
Asian Championships
Rank Year Venue Event Result
1 2009 Foshan, CHN 200m Freestyle 1:48.88
Asian Games
Rank Year Venue Event Result
3 2010 Guangzhou, CHN 400m Freestyle 3:49.15
3 2010 Guangzhou, CHN 1500m Freestyle 15:22.03
4 2010 Guangzhou, CHN 200m Freestyle 1:48.10
1 2010 Guangzhou, CHN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:07.68
2 2006 Doha, QAT 200m Freestyle 1:47.85
2 2006 Doha, QAT 400m Freestyle 3:49.03
2 2006 Doha, QAT 1500m Freestyle 15:03.13
2 2006 Doha, QAT 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:15.13