Zhang emerges from depths of despair

China's first swimming world champ now keen to encourage youngsters

Chinese swimmer Zhang Lin's career has fallen from heaven to earth over the past four years, but he remains upbeat just as long as he can still power down a pool's lane.

Zhang, who became the first Chinese man to win a world championship - in the 800m freestyle in 2009 - saw his career hit bottom after failing to qualify for the finals of the 100m and 200m freestyle events at the National Championships in Zhengzhou, Henan province, last week.