3 days before leaving for the World Cup, Pan Zhanle sent a message to the soldiers in Tibet: “You are heroes”
Article by David Istrate – published on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 15:20 / Updated Wednesday, July 23, 2025 15:21
A few days before leaving for Singapore, where the World Natation Championships, Pan Zhanle (20 years), the rival of David Popovici, sent a message to the Chinese soldiers who occupied the Tibet.
The Tibet plateau was annexed by China in 1951, when the popular army occupied this region. After more than 70 years, Chinese soldiers are still in Tibet, holding this plateau under military occupation.
Pan Zhanle, admired by the Chinese soldiers in Tibet: “I will try to give everything to bring glory to the country”
This month, Several China's Olympic medalists formed a delegation that took a tour in Tibet, visiting the soldiers stationed there. On Sunday, July 20, during a visit to the athlete delegation, the soldiers had the opportunity to speak, through the phone, with Pan Zhanle, the Olympic champion at 100 m free from Paris.
A soldier told him that he is his favorite swimmer, and the rest of the regiment guest in Tibet for a swimming competition. Also Zhanle addressed a few words:
“The snowy plateau has always been a place I longed for. You have settled on the plateau and defended your country. You are truly strong and heroes in my heart. I will learn from you and try to give everything to the pool to bring glory to my country”, Said the 20 -year -old athlete, quoted by CJ.Sina.com.
Zhang Yufei, another Olympic champion, also sent a message to Chinese soldiers:
“I have heard that there are excellent basins in the plateau. Many soldiers like to swim and I want to experience this. In fact, I know that the basin here is not just a place to practice, but bears a responsibility and mission.
You stay in the post in the snowy plateau and every effort you make touches me. The World Natation Championships are about to start. Last period I trained intensely and worked hard to bring glory to the mother homeland. I hope we can all fight for what is best in our fields. ”
China's delegation left for Singapore on Wednesday, July 23, and Pan Zhanle aims to defend his world title to 100 m free.
David Popovici's program at World Cup
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July 28 – series, semifinals 200 m free
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July 29 – final 200 m free
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July 30 – series, semifinals 100 m free
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July 31 – final 100 m free
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August 1 – series, semifinals 50 m free (final on August 2)
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The session with series begins at 05:00, and the one with semifinals and final at 14:00
