China's Su Bingtian reacts after the men's 100m semifinal at the Rio Olympics on Sunday.  [Photo/Xinhua]

As with Xie, Su has ambitions in the upcoming relays.

"As far as it goes, Xie's personal-best and my season-best in the semifinal are crucial since us two shouldering the middle legs in the relay. And though Zhang Peimeng hurts in the tendon, he would make it no matter what it takes. This has been a great incentive and is driving us to the top eight."

As long as the handoffs are faultless, a better result is expected from the relay team, which secured the silver medal at last year's Beijing World Championships. But in Su's vague words, last year's first leg-runner Mo Youxue would be replaced by a younger sprinter this time. "The change is worried but young blood is also necessary in promoting Chinese men's sprint. After all they are the future hope after we retired," said Su.