What are Chinese more glad to see than gold medals?

Historical breakthroughs set higher goals for Tokyo

It's hard to copy China's traditional strengths, and to exploit new sport fields is even harder. Olympic breakthroughs in Rio not only bring about surprise but also reflect changes of Chinese sports. Chinese athletes have participated in more sports fields with new attitude and made historical breakthroughs.

Cycling Track

The Chinese pair compete during the women's team sprint in the Rio Olympic Velodrome, Aug 12, 2016. [Photo/VCG]

China's Gong Jinjie and Zhong Tianshi won the women's team sprint to secure China's first track Olympic gold on Aug 12.

As well as the athletes' performance, the race drew attention to the helmets of the duo, which were painted with the faces of famous Peking Opera characters, Mu Guiying and Hua Mulan.

Judo

Cheng celebrates after winning the bronze medal in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug 10, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Cheng Xunzhao won bronze medal in men's 90kg judo class to mark the country's male judoist best Olympic performance.

Swimming

Xu Jiayu of China competes in the men's 200m backstroke semifinals at the 2016 Rio Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug 10, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

The 21-year-old Xu Jiayu claimed a silver medal in the men's 100m backstroke final to become China's first male Olympic backstroke medalist.

Wang Shun finished third in the men's 200m individual medley final to become China's first male Olympic individual medley medalist.

Fu Yuanhui tied for bronze in the women's 100m backstroke to become the first Chinese female backstroke swimmer on the Olympic podium.

Sun Yang secured the men's 200m freestyle gold medal and he was the first Chinese swimmer to win in two Olympic Games.