Chinese Swimming Nationals Delayed By One Day; Big Stars Reportedly Not Attending

SHAOXING, China, April 21. TODAY was a national day of mourning in China for the victims of the earthquake that devastated the Qinghai province last week, and as such the Chinese long course nationals has been delayed by one day, the Chinese Swimming Association website reports.

The website's report also states that three of the country's biggest swimming stars will not attend the meet, which is serving as the selection meet for the Asian Games.

World record holder Liu Zige (women's 200 fly), as well as world-ranked swimmers Wu Peng and Sun Yang, are not swimming in the meet. Zige, the website report states, will remain in her home province of Shanhaiguan. Wu Peng, a top international competitor in the 200 fly since 2004, is currently training at Club Wolverine in the United States and has elected not to make the trip. Sun Yang, the 2009 world championships bronze medalist in the 1500 free, is training in Australia.

Zhang Lin, the silver medalist in the men's 400 free at the 2008 Olympics, is still scheduled to compete in the nationals in the 200, 400 and 1500 freestyles.

Shangxiu Tang, deputy director of the Chinese Swimming Association, said in the report that Wu and Sun will have other chances to qualify for the Asian Games, which take place in Guangzhou, China, November 12-27.

The report also announces the retirement of Qi Hui, Zhou Yafei and Yang Yu. Qi was a former world record holder in the women's 200 breast. Zhou helped China win a bronze medal in the women's 400 medley relay at the 2008 Olympics and Yang was on both of China's silver medal-winning efforts in the women's 800 free relay at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.

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