As China's first high-level international swimming event held as an open competition, the ZHOU LIU FU 2026 China Open Swimming Championships and the National Spring Swimming Championships attracted 17 top international swimmers. Shenzhen's attention to detail, both in and out of the pool, drew widespread praise from the athletes.

The mascot "zhuazhua" (or "Octa") became the most sought-after "star". South African swimmer Pieter Theunis Coetze clinched gold in the men's 50m backstroke final, getting the better of Olympic champion Thomas Ceccon. He even took time after the race to speak about the mascot. "I think 'zhuazhua' is very cute, and I'm going to give it to my girlfriend," Coetze said, adding, "Shenzhen really knows how to stage fun and enjoyable events. I've enjoyed every moment. It's been a great experience."

Similarly, American swimming star and Olympic champion Kate Douglass shared details of her medal from the China Open Swimming Championships with fans right after winning it, and also showcased the "zhuazhua" plush toy with movable ears. In photos she posted on social media, the medal and mascot complemented each other, drawing plenty of likes from fans.

The facilities at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre Natatorium, along with the city's hospitality, were also frequently mentioned by top international swimmers. After breaking a world record, Cameron McEvoy could hardly contain his excitement, "Unreal. It's crazy. Before the race, I thought I had only a 20% chance of breaking the record, but I did it here in Shenzhen. The venue facilities are world-class, and the enthusiastic crowd gave me tremendous energy."

American swimmer Gretchen Walsh noted, "The pool here really helps produce great results." Australian Olympic champion Lani Pallister echoed the sentiment, "The design of the pool is really cool. It feels like competing at the World Championships." Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers added, "Some of the facilities here are among the best I've ever seen."

从一只章鱼到一枚奖牌，世界泳坛名将爱上深圳细节

作为中国首个以公开赛形式举办的高水平国际游泳赛事，周六福·2026年中国游泳公开赛暨全国春季游泳锦标赛吸引17名国际顶尖泳将参赛。赛场内外的“深圳细节”，让游泳健儿们赞不绝口。

吉祥物“爪爪”成了最抢手的“明星”。南非名将彼得·特乌尼斯·科策在男子50米仰泳决赛中力压奥运冠军托马斯·切孔摘得金牌，赛后特意为吉祥物留了时间。“我觉得‘爪爪’很可爱，我要把它送给我的女朋友。”科策特别补充道，“深圳知道怎么把赛事办得充满乐趣、让人享受。我一直很享受，这是一次很棒的体验。”

无独有偶，美国游泳名将、奥运冠军凯特·道格拉斯在收获中国游泳公开赛奖牌后，也第一时间与泳迷朋友分享了奖牌的细节，还特意展示了耳朵可动的“爪爪”玩偶。在她社交媒体上晒出的照片里，奖牌与吉祥物相映成趣，引来众多粉丝点赞。

深圳大运中心游泳馆的设施和这座城市的热情，也成了国际名将口中的高频词。麦克沃伊打破世界纪录后，难掩激动：“太疯狂了！这简直不可思议。赛前我只有两成的把握能破纪录，没想到在深圳做到了。这里的场馆设施一流，观众的热情更是给了我巨大的能量。”

美国选手格雷琴认为：“这个（大运中心游泳馆）泳池有助于创造好成绩。”澳大利亚奥运冠军拉尼·帕利斯特也深有同感：“这个泳池的设计非常酷，感觉就像在参加世界锦标赛。”奥运冠军凯尔·查尔莫斯直言：“有些设施是我所见过的最顶尖的。”

来源 | 2026年中国游泳公开赛暨全国春季游泳锦标赛
翻译丨柯妃娟
审校丨曾敏