Chapter 23: The 50m Dash Begins! Wang Xiaoming's Muscles Astonish Everyone
The 50-meter swim is the shortest event in competitive swimming.
Swimming competitions are incredibly diverse in their categories. Just among the men's individual events, there are as many as fourteen!
There are reasons behind why a single swimming event is subdivided into so many categories.
With the rise of the internet, the Western powers have become increasingly concerned with maintaining their superficial image.
Competitive sports, as a display of a nation's strength, have become a focal point for them.
They pour tremendous effort into any event where they hold an advantage, pushing to split it into dozens or even hundreds of sub-events at the Olympics.
This is especially true for swimming and track and field.
They would rather create sub-events every ten meters, from 50 to 60 to 70 meters and beyond, as these are their strongest areas.
After all, these events heavily rely on physical attributes.
Their populations possess natural advantages here—long tendons, endurance, and explosive power.
It makes perfect sense for them to capitalize on these strengths.
Conversely, for events where China excels, such as diving and table tennis, which are more skill-based, they try to cut them down to as few sub-events as possible.
Doubles matches, synchronized diving—they’d prefer to reduce them to single, decisive events.
That way, they can afford to ignore these events entirely.
After all, if there’s only one gold medal at stake, no matter how dominant China is in table tennis or how masterful their diving splash suppression technique is, what does it matter?
They’re willing to concede that single gold medal.
Thus, the essence of the modern Olympics has fundamentally changed.
You might think it’s still about pushing human limits or embodying the Olympic spirit.
No.
It has become a contest between great powers.
A grand stage for nations to showcase their might to the world.
Therefore, events like swimming have always been at the center of everyone’s attention.
If one could defeat the Western powers in such competitions, it would not only be a slap to their faces but also a proud demonstration of China’s current strength, inspiring the nation.
...
As the preparatory whistle sounded, Wang Xiaoming arrived at the staging area.
After two days of familiarization, he had a solid grasp of the competition flow.
Moreover, his skill “Xuanwu Stabilization” had successfully leveled up to level two through training.
He could now hold his breath underwater for over five minutes!
...
When Wang Xiaoming took off his clothes, an astonished voice came from behind.
“Wow, Ming Ge, your muscles are impressive!”
Pan Zhanle stared at Wang Xiaoming’s back muscles, visibly shocked.
Pan’s exclamation caught the attention of their teammates.
Suddenly, expressions of surprise spread throughout.
Especially among the female swimmers, their eyes widened in admiration.
Unlike the bulky, “double-door” muscles typical of the swim team, Wang Xiaoming’s build was just right.
When clothed, his clothes hugged his body without being overly tight, moving with a graceful agility.
When unclothed, it was a different spectacle—muscle lines clearly defined, each seemingly a carefully sculpted work of art, a symbol of strength yet balanced in beauty.
Standing in the center of the preparation area, Wang Xiaoming was like a tall poplar tree, brimming with vitality.
He looked slim dressed but muscular when undressed—this was the blunt truth of Wang Xiaoming.
His straight legs, though not as thick as Pan Zhanle’s and others’, were taut and muscular.
One would never doubt the explosive power behind those legs!
Indeed, Wang Xiaoming’s physique was nothing short of spectacular.
The faint, barely visible scars on his body only added a rugged, passionate masculinity.
For a moment, the female swimmers blushed.
Normally, they were accustomed to the swimmers’ physiques and should have been immune to such effects.
Yet now, their cheeks flushed uncontrollably.
Two female teammates even quietly approached and poked Wang Xiaoming’s arm...
At the same time, the media cameras focused on Wang Xiaoming.
Suddenly, many female viewers began screaming, while male viewers looked on with envy.
“Honestly, Ming Ge’s muscles are no joke!”
“No way, he doesn’t show it off, but Wang Xiaoming has some serious muscle!”
“Wow, those muscles are no accident; you can feel the explosive power packed in!”
“Just like Bruce Lee—so handsome!”
As for Wang Xiaoming’s faint scars, they only deepened the mystery of his unknown past in the eyes of the audience.
The venue buzzed with excitement as the names of the competitors appeared on the large screen.
Wang Xiaoming prepared himself and moved to the poolside.
The first event was the 50-meter freestyle.
Initially, the audience held little hope for Wang Xiaoming, but seeing his explosive muscularity, their expectations began to rise.
After all, if it were other events like the 800m or 1500m, few would expect much from him.
These longer distances are rife with uncertainties.
Physically, the Chinese cannot match the natural athleticism of Black athletes.
But the 50m sprint is all about that one explosive moment!
Thinking back, there was once a 60m event in track and field.
Western countries constantly tried to add it to the Olympics.
...
But when China produced Su Bingtian, they scrapped the event entirely.
After all, Su ran faster than Bolt in the 60m!
Western powers would never allow China to take one more gold medal.
In swimming’s 50m event, the favorites this time were athletes from Australia and Great Britain.
Both aimed to break the record.
The 50m record was once held by Brazilian star Cesar Cielo.
He clocked 20.91 seconds at the 2009 Brazilian Championships.
This time not only broke the world record but remains unbeaten to this day.
...
The whistle blew; all competitors were ready.
Just waiting for the starting gun!
Everyone held their breath, waiting to see Wang Xiaoming’s performance.
The shooting prodigy had once stunned the world by winning the grand slam, shocking all spectators.
Would Wang Xiaoming once again dazzle everyone and bring home another gold for China?
The crowd watched eagerly.
The commentator focused on Wang Xiaoming.
“In lane three, we have China’s near grand slam shooter, Wang Xiaoming!”
“Let’s cheer him on...”
*Clap clap clap!*
Thunderous applause erupted, mostly from Chinese fans.
After all, the Chinese crowd was large and passionate.
Next to Wang Xiaoming, the Australian favorite scoffed, turned his head, and raised his middle finger at him.
Then he mockingly shook it.
His arrogance was palpable.
In his eyes, Wang Xiaoming was here to make a joke of the competition.
Wang Xiaoming said nothing.
As a professional killer, he never popped champagne mid-game—this was the cardinal rule of the trade.
“Alright, the race is about to begin; let’s watch and see!”
The voice of the commentator filled the television, and all eyes fixed on the figure poised at the starting block.
*Bang!*
“The race begins! Will our dark horse, Wang Xiaoming, once again shine brightly in swimming?”
“Let’s first observe the competitors’ dives!”
“Wang Xiaoming—wait—what is he doing?”