A Chinese Olympic swimmer has taken social media by storm with his fashion runway-like “swagger” while being introduced at a swimming event at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The moment was captured in several videos posted on TikTok, including a viral one by @ijustlovelipbalm, which has garnered 16.6 million views since it was shared four days earlier on July 29.
A message overlaid on the viral clip says “China coming out for their Olympic events behaving like it’s a Balenciaga [the luxury fashion label] walk.”
The clip features China’s Qin Haiyang—who currently holds the world record for the men’s 200-meter breaststroke following his win at the 2023 World Aquatic Championships—entering the walkway wearing a long, hooded red coat over a white top and red trousers with white sneakers.
The 25-year-old Olympian, who in October took the men’s MVP award at the 2023 Asian Games after his win of five gold medals, is wearing swimming goggles, with the hood of the red coat over his head.
He struts down a blue-colored walkway, with one hand in his coat pocket, while the other gently pats his chest. He’s later seen clapping his hands together and looking down as he walks further out into the swimming arena.
A caption shared with the post says “bro thinks he’s just walked onto the catwalk.”
The viral post comes in the shadow of doping accusations in which 23 Chinese swimmers, including Qin, tested positive for a banned heart medication before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Chinese officials ruled that the swimmers’ samples were contaminated by spice containers in the kitchen of a hotel where some members of the Chinese team had stayed for a national meet back in January 2021. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) took no action saying there was no evidence to doubt the findings.
The Chinese team went on to win three gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, while the U.S. bagged two silvers.
China is currently leading the gold medal count at the Paris Olympics, with 13 gold wins, outranking the U.S. as well as France and the U.K., each of which have nine gold medals.
The U.S. is leading the overall total medal count, with 41 medals won so far, and France holding the second place spot with 31 medals, followed by China in third place with 27 medals, at the time of reporting on Friday.
‘So Much Swagger’
TikTok users could not get over the Olympic swimmer’s stylish entrance.
DepressedNugget wrote “That’s his catwalk, his fashion week!”
GuyT (Content x Business)² said “There’s so much swagger at these games haha the athletes are NOT PLAYING.”
User @loveyourself_always4ever said “his model era is coming hahaha.”
“That was the catwalk of his life! Sign him after this!!,” said @acidkashmoney.
“What a confidence !!! I like this attitude,” said georgia and jeanettermckellar noted “Aura off the charts.”
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
Qin Haiyang walking out ahead of the men’s 200-meter breaststroke semifinals at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on July 30. A video of Qin making a “Balenciaga catwalk” style entrance at a swimming… Qin Haiyang walking out ahead of the men’s 200-meter breaststroke semifinals at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on July 30. A video of Qin making a “Balenciaga catwalk” style entrance at a swimming event has gone viral on TikTok.
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
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