China’s Yu, 13, nice for swimming says a number of Olympic medallist

Yu scorched to Asian Games gold on the opening day within the pool in Tokyo, profitable the ladies’s 200m butterfly in a Games-record time of 2min 05.85sec.

It was the primary main title of her younger profession, lower than two years out from the Los Angeles Olympics.

Yu is following within the footsteps of Summer McIntosh, who made Canada’s crew for the Tokyo Olympics as a 14-year-old in 2021, ending fourth within the 400m freestyle.

Haughey, a four-time Olympic medallist, stated it’s a part of a wider pattern in swimming.

“I think the general consensus is we have more and more great young swimmers swimming well,” stated Haughey, now a relative veteran at 28.

“When Summer first started she was also very young and swimming fast, so I think that’s kind of the trend these days.

“Hopefully, swimming properly that younger, you may as well translate to as you become older and properly into your 20s and past, so it is thrilling for the swimming world,” she added.

Yu became the youngest swimming world championships medallist in history last year when she won bronze as a 12-year-old as part of China’s 4x200m freestyle relay team.

She also finished just outside the medals in fourth in three world individual events.

Haughey said the evidence suggests that Yu is “undoubtedly able to going to the LA Olympics”.

“I believe she’s doing properly beneath strain at large meets,” she said.

“I believe if she desires to do it, she undoubtedly can.”

Haughey became the first Hong Kong swimmer to win an Olympic medal when she picked up two silvers at the Tokyo Games.

She is looking to add to the two Asian Games golds she won in 2023 in Hangzhou this week in Tokyo.

She said watching young swimmers like Yu gives her extra motivation.

“On one hand it makes me really feel I’m twice their age, however I’m nonetheless right here, so that claims one thing,” she said.

“I believe being an older swimmer means I’ve much more expertise, and I attempt to use that have to my benefit, as an illustration like the right way to deal with strain or what to anticipate at a giant meet.

“It’s so great that there are a lot of younger swimmers because you want the sport to keep moving forward and to keep evolving,” she added.

© 2026 AFP