Stars shining in National Games swimming

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The National Games' swimming competition is set to hog the spotlight as four Olympic gold medalists will take a dip on Wednesday.

Sun Yang is aiming for a record 12 gold medals in one National Games, having already been awarded five golds for his stellar performance in the London Olympics.

According to the medal counting rule, Sun was given five golds for the two golds and one world record he claimed in London.

The distance freestyle specialist, who claimed the men's 400m, 800m and 1,500m gold medals at the Barcelona World Championships, is seeking breakthroughs in short distance as he will compete for the title of the 100m freestyle.

"It's my third National Games," said Sun. "It is also my first time to swim in the 100m free at a major competition. It is a challenge and I expect some breakthroughs."

Sun will also take part in the 200m, 400m and 1,500m.

"I have never thought about how many titles I can win here but I will try my best in every event," said the 21-year-old.

Sun won the 1,500m gold at the Barcelona Worlds in 14:41.15, which was 10.13 seconds more than his winning time at the London Olympics last year.

"I made some adjustments after the World Championships, and for now my priority is to raise my speed," he said.

Double Olympic champion Ye Shiwen sees the national games as a new beginning.

Ye will compete in the women's 200m, 400m medley and 200m backstroke.

The 17-year-old lost her form in Barcelona as she failed to win a medal in her trademark medley events.

"Barcelona is the past, and I now focus on the 400m medley right now," said Ye, adding the the World Championships was "a valuable lesson".

Veteran swimmer Liu Zige, who broke the women's 200m butterfly world record in last National Games, saw her form dip after she triumphed in the 2008 Olympics. She was rejuvenated in the Barcelona Championships where she clinched the 200m title.

Her clash with Jiao Liuyang, women's 200m butterfly winner in the London Olympics, is unavoidable.

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