Busy schedule

However, a demanding program that will potentially see Zhang compete in five events, including freestyles and team relays, could prove draining.

The unpredictable nature of Olympic swimming, especially in the sprint disciplines, also adds to the magnitude of Zhang's task, former men's world champion Zhang Lin reckons.

"Zhang Yufei has been consistent at the top level, but in sprint events there is no margin for error," Zhang Lin, who won men's 800m freestyle gold at the 2009 world championships, said during a preview program on Tencent Sports on Monday.

"There is more pressure physically and mentally at the Olympics, where you have to go all out in every session from heats to the finals, than at the national meets. So it's definitely not a guarantee for her to win, even though she's the hot favorite."

China's distance freestyle duo of Li Bingjie and Wang Jianjiahe are also eyeing medals, in the 400m, 800m and 1500m races, having competed fiercely against each other at domestic meets. However, they will be up against five-time Olympic champion Katie Ledecky of the US.

The 19-year-old Wang clocked a personal-best 8:14.64 in the 800m and an Asian-record 15:55.59 in the 1500m at the 2019 and 2020 national championships respectively, and is rated Ledecky's closest challenger over both distances.

Li, also 19, has signed up for all four individual freestyle events in Tokyo. As the third fastest swimmer (4:02.36) in the world over 400m this year, behind Ariarne Titmus of Australia (3:56.90) and Ledecky (3:59.25), Li has high hopes of making the podium in Japan.

"Having intense internal competition in the team always suits each swimmer to push for extra improvements," Qian Hong, winner of the women's 100m butterfly at the 1992 Barcelona Games, said of the rivalry between Li and Wang.

"That's how it has worked for our previous champions for years and I hope they will benefit from the battle to shine in Tokyo."

Xu grit

On the men's side, Sun's absence has left backstroke star Xu as China's sole gold-medal hope in Tokyo. The two-time 100m world champion (2017-19) is feeling the pressure of competing in multiple individual and relay events.

However, the Rio 2016 silver medalist is determined to go one step better in Tokyo, inspired by the memory of his late coach, Xu Guoyi.

"I feel like I've grown a lot since he passed away … my form was affected more or less, but eventually I realized that the best way to pay him back is by standing on top of the Olympic podium," the 25-year-old said of Xu Guoyi, who died in July 2020 of brain cancer.

The highly respected coach guided Ye Shiwen to women's 200m and 400m IM titles at London 2012, and before his untimely passing had declared that his career goal remained to help more Chinese pool stars to Olympic glory.

As this year's fourth fastest (52.35) swimmer in the 100m back, Xu will face stiff competition from Russia's season-leading Evgeny Rylov (52.12) and longtime American rival Ryan Murphy to get among the medals in Tokyo.

In the 4x100m mixed medley relay, a team comprised of Xu, Zhang Yufei, women's freestyler Yang Junxuan and men's breaststroke specialist Yan Zibei set a world-record 3:38.41 at the national championships in October.

As a result, they start as hot favorites in the event's Olympic debut, but can expect strong challenges from the US and Australia.

The nine-day swimming program will be staged from July 24-Aug 1 at the Tokyo Aquatics Center.

Chinese swimmers have won 13 gold, 19 silver and 11 bronze medals at previous Olympics, and in Tokyo the team expects to at least surpass its one-gold total (won by Sun in the 200m free) from Rio.

Meanwhile, Sun, who consistently pleaded innocent throughout his doping case, last month claimed he has not given up hope of reviving his career in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics.