Pool of inspiration

However, with years of hard work and great persistence, Qian improved, becoming a national team swimmer at the Rio Paralympics in 2016. She finished ninth in the women's 100m breaststroke SB5.

"I just love swimming. Every time I enter the pool, I just feel comfortable and free. And it's quiet in the pool. I enjoy that quiet world," said Qian.

"But when I entered the pool for the first time as a kid, I was afraid and nervous. It wasn't about not knowing how to swim. With the swimming suit, it was inevitable that people would see the extent of my condition. I was shy and didn't dare to leave the dressing room.

"So, I want to thank my coach, who understands me and inspires me. He told me that all of us are actually the same, and that no one would look at me any differently. That's how I gained my confidence."

For the past 15 years, coach Zhang Honghu has witnessed Qian's growth from a shy girl who was too afraid to speak into a mature Paralympic athlete.

Zhang hopes that Qian can worry less about winning and just enjoy every second in the pool.

"From 2007 to the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, the journey over the past 15 years has been a great one for us. I have seen her grow from a girl who knew nothing about swimming, to becoming an athlete who always desires to win. She is a confident athlete with great spirit," said Zhang.

"She has shaped herself into a person who can contribute to society and be an inspiration to many more people. A great testimony to her development is her smile, which shows how she managed to get through all the challenges in her life.

"She has attracted great attention from the public and has received a lot of support and love. I just hope she wants to keep chasing her dreams and pushing her limits. More importantly, I hope she has a great life in the years to come."