As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are in full swing, Hangzhou also witnessed a lively swimming event, where residents enthusiastically plunged into their beloved mother river, the Qiantang River, unfazed by the scorching summer sun.

At 8:50 on July 28, the 2024 Qiantang River crossing event commenced, infusing an invigorating spark into the season, with over 3,000 participants assembling, including 100 elite athletes comprising the Elite Group.

No restrictions were imposed on gender or age, welcoming swimmers of all genders and ages, from 6-year-olds to 82-year-olds. They started from the south bank of the Hangzhou International Expo Center in Xiaoshan district and swam to the north bank at the “City Balcony” in Shangcheng District, traversing a distance of approximately 1.2 to 1.3 kilometers.

All athletes who finished the crossing received a carefully designed medal and an electronic certificate with their results.

Swimming holds a cherished place among Hangzhou residents as one of their favorite sports. Originating in the 1950s, modest in scale and organization in its early stages, this tradition has flourished over the decades. Since the 1960s, every summer has witnessed a grand crossing event in Hangzhou, transforming the crossing into a beloved mass sports event that epitomizes the city's summer fervor.

This year, the event is themed “Igniting Sports Passion, Striving for a Model City in Fitness for All,” carrying forward the fitness wave ignited by Hangzhou Asian Games held last year.