China's national swimming team may not collect as many gold medals as they did at the 2012 London Games as a younger generation of swimmers would represent the country at the upcoming Rio Olympics.

Four years ago, China posted its best-ever result in London where the national squad won five gold medals, two silver medals, and three bronze medals. According to China.org, in Rio, the 43-member team will once again rely on Olympic and world champion swimmer Sun Yang.

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The 25-year-old native of Hangzhou, Zhejiang looks forward to maintaining his 400-meter and 1,500-meter freestyle Olympic titles in Rio while also competing in the 200-meter freestyle following his recovery from a foot injury.

Sun is expected to be tested in his trademark event as the 21-year-old Gregorio Paltrinieri of Italy was only 3.02 seconds behind the Chinese distance swimmer's world record at the European Championships this year.

The Chinese swimming star will also face his old rival Park Tai-hwan of the South Korea. The Korean was the 400-meter free gold medalist at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Meanwhile, the 2012 London Games double Olympic swimming champion Ye Shiwen, who won the gold medal for the 200 meter and 400-meter medley, is believed to be not as strong as she was four years ago. However, the Chinese Olympic swimming team can prop up their hope with Ning Zetao, a world 100-meter freestyle champion.

According to Sina, Ning, 23, who will compete in the Olympics for the first time, will chase the 100 meters free title. Youngsters Shen Duo, Zhang Yufei, and Liu Xiang, all under-20, are not the top in their respective events but are expected to make an impression in the women's field.

As usual, the United States remains the power in the pool, spearheaded by five-time Olympian Michael Phelps with 18 golds and 22 medals overall.

TagsSun Yang, Ning Zetao, michael phelps, 2016 Rio Olympics, 2012 london olympics, ye shiwen