Friendship first, competition second

Encouraging embrace

China's Zhang Yufei delivered one of the most touching moments from the swimming program in Tokyo when she showed her caring side by warmly hugging Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who returned to competition last August after recovering from leukemia. Ikee, who was discharged from hospital in December 2019 after going through 10 months of treatment, took part in her second Olympic Games after competing in seven events at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Ikee was regarded as a major future star of the sport after winning six gold medals at the 2018 Asian Games. However, her illness slowed her progress and she was unable to finish on the podium in Tokyo. Zhang waited patiently for Ikee to finish a TV interview before embracing her and saying she hoped she could come back strongly at next year's Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. "See you next year," said Zhang as she held Ikee in her arms.