Zhong Tianshi

Zhong Tianshi, born on February 2, 1991, is a distinguished Chinese track cyclist who has made significant contributions to the sport. Her career highlights include representing China at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in 2012, 2014, and 2015, where she showcased her exceptional talent and determination.

In 2015, Zhong achieved remarkable success by becoming the world champion in the team sprint and securing a bronze medal in the sprint event. Her prowess continued to shine at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she and her partner Gong Jinjie set a world record of thirty-one point nine two eight seconds during the qualification round of the team sprint. They ultimately clinched the gold medal, triumphing over the Russian team in a thrilling final.

On August 2, 2021, Zhong partnered with Bao Shanju at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, successfully defending her Olympic title in the women's team sprint. This victory made her the first Chinese cyclist to win two Olympic gold medals. During the first round, she and Bao set a new world record of thirty-one point eight zero four seconds, further solidifying their place in cycling history.

During the medals ceremony, Zhong and Bao displayed their patriotic spirit by wearing Mao Zedong pin-badges on their jackets. This act, however, raised questions regarding compliance with Olympic Charter Rule 50, which prohibits political statements on the podium. The incident occurred shortly after silver medalist Raven Saunders made a notable gesture during her own medal ceremony, adding a layer of complexity to the event.