ChineseSwimmerOlympic MedalistAsian Games Medalist

Jiao Liuyang

Jiao Liuyang is a Chinese butterfly swimmer and 2012 Olympic gold medalist who also holds an Olympic record, multiple world medals, and was a Party Congress representative.

1. Overview

Jiao Liuyang (焦刘洋Jiāo LiúyángChinese, born August 6, 1991) is a renowned Chinese swimmer specializing in the butterfly stroke. She achieved significant success throughout her career, culminating in a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the women's 200-metre butterfly event, where she also set a new Olympic record. Her career also includes multiple medals from the Olympic Games, World Aquatics Championships (both long course and short course), Asian Games, and Asian Swimming Championships. Beyond her athletic achievements, Jiao Liuyang has also engaged in significant public activities, including her participation in the Chinese Communist Party National Congress. This article details her personal background, competitive career, notable records, and other major activities.

2. Early Life and Background

Jiao Liuyang was born on August 6, 1991, in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China. She stands 68 in (173 cm) tall and weighs 139 lb (63 kg). Her early life was dedicated to swimming, where she honed her skills primarily in the butterfly stroke, which became her main event.

3. Swimming Career

Jiao Liuyang's professional swimming career is marked by consistent high-level performance and numerous medal acquisitions across various major international competitions.

3.1. Early Career and Initial Achievements

Jiao Liuyang began to make her mark in competitive swimming in the mid-2000s. In 2005, she competed at the National Games, where she secured a second-place finish in the 200-metre butterfly event with a time of 2 s. The following year, at the 2006 Asian Swimming Championships held in Singapore, she claimed her first major international gold medal in the 200-metre butterfly, setting a new championship record with a time of 2 s. In 2007, she participated in the 2007 World Aquatics Championships in Melbourne, where she finished fourth in the 200-metre butterfly, recording a time of 2 s.

3.2. Olympic Participation

Jiao Liuyang competed in two Summer Olympics, achieving significant milestones in both appearances.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, she earned a silver medal in the women's 200-metre butterfly. She finished with a time of 2 s, narrowly placing behind her teammate Liu Zige, who won the gold medal in 2 s. Notably, both swimmers surpassed the former world record of 2 s held by Australia's Jessicah Schipper in that race.

Four years later, at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Jiao Liuyang elevated her performance to win the gold medal in the women's 200-metre butterfly. She completed the race in 2 s, establishing a new Olympic record. At the same Games, she also competed in the 100-metre butterfly, reaching the semifinal, and was part of the Chinese 4x100-metre medley relay team.

3.3. World Aquatics Championships

Jiao Liuyang has a notable medal record at the FINA World Aquatics Championships, competing in both long course and short course events.

At the 2009 World Aquatics Championships in Rome, she contributed to the Chinese team's success by winning a gold medal as part of the 4x100-metre medley relay team, which also set a new world record. Individually, she secured a bronze medal in the 100-metre butterfly with a time of 56.86 s.

In 2011, she participated in the 2011 World Aquatics Championships held in Shanghai, where she earned a gold medal in her signature event, the 200-metre butterfly. She also added a silver medal as part of the 4x100-metre medley relay team.

Following the London Olympics, Jiao Liuyang competed at the 2012 World Short Course Swimming Championships in Istanbul. She secured two silver medals at this event, one in the 50-metre butterfly and another in the 200-metre butterfly.

3.4. Asian Games and Asian Championships

Jiao Liuyang demonstrated strong performances at various regional competitions, including the Asian Games and Asian Swimming Championships.

At the 2009 Asian Swimming Championships in Foshan, she won two gold medals in the 50-metre butterfly and 100-metre butterfly events, setting new championship records in both. She also earned a silver medal in the 200-metre butterfly.

In 2010, at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, Jiao Liuyang had a dominant showing, securing three gold medals. She won the 100-metre butterfly, the 200-metre butterfly, and was part of the victorious 4x100-metre medley relay team. All three of these gold medals were achieved in times that established new Games records.

Her success at the Asian Games continued in 2014, when she competed at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon and once again won a gold medal in the 200-metre butterfly.

4. Records and Personal Bests

Jiao Liuyang has set several significant records and achieved impressive personal best times throughout her career.

Her notable achievements include:

  • 2006 Asian Championships: Set a tournament record in the 200-metre butterfly.
  • 2009 Asian Swimming Championships: Set championship records in the 50-metre butterfly and 100-metre butterfly.
  • 2010 Asian Games: Set new Games records in the 100-metre butterfly, 200-metre butterfly, and as part of the 4x100-metre medley relay team.
  • 2012 London Olympics: Set a new Olympic record in the 200-metre butterfly with a time of 2 s.

Her personal best times in long course events include:

  • 50-metre butterfly: 26.04 s (achieved April 11, 2009), which was an Asian record and a Chinese record at the time.
  • 100-metre butterfly: 56.86 s (achieved in 2009), which is her fastest recorded time in this event.
  • 200-metre butterfly: 2 s (achieved at the 2012 Summer Olympics).

5. Other Major Activities

Beyond her distinguished swimming career, Jiao Liuyang has also participated in significant non-athletic activities. In November 2012, following her Olympic triumph, she was selected as a representative to the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. At the time of the congress, she was 21 years old, making her the youngest representative present.

6. Legacy and Assessment

Jiao Liuyang's career is marked by her consistent excellence in the butterfly stroke, particularly the 200-metre event. Her Olympic gold medal in 2012, achieved with an Olympic record, solidified her place as one of China's most successful swimmers. She consistently broke and set new records at various levels, from national and Asian championships to the Olympic Games. Her contributions significantly elevated the profile of Chinese swimming on the international stage, demonstrating the strength and depth of the country's aquatic sports program. Her performances, especially her rivalries and close finishes with teammates like Liu Zige, captivated audiences and contributed to the sport's popularity.