The Cradle of World Champions: Over 2,000 Children Compete in Shanghai’s “June 1st” Kids’ Swimming Meet

Every year on International Children's Day ("June 1"), a prestigious event shines a spotlight on the dreams of countless young swimmers in Shanghai, serving as a nurturing cradle for champions and witnessing the rise of generation after generation of swimming prodigies. From May 31 to June 2, the 35th Shanghai "June 1" Children's Swimming Competition took place at the Shanghai Urban Sports Center Swimming Pool.

Over the three-day event, 40 organizations—representing amateur training units from all districts of the city as well as community sports clubs—and 2,515 young participants will showcase their talents and soak up the joy in the pool. Both the number of participating teams and the total count of competitors have shattered previous records, highlighting the growing enthusiasm and vibrant energy surrounding children’s swimming activities in Shanghai.

This year's Shanghai "June 1st" Children's Swimming Competition has introduced a special "June 1st Memorial Group," tailored to reflect the current enrollment situations in each district and aligned with the age categories of the Shanghai Youth Elite Series. The event is divided into four age groups: the 6-year-old group, the 7-year-old group, the 8-year-old group, and the exclusive "June 1st Memorial Group." Participants will compete in a diverse range of events, including 25m and 50m backstroke and freestyle kicks, as well as 25m events featuring all four swimming strokes, plus 50m backstroke and freestyle, and even the challenging 100m individual medley.

The historic "June 1st" Children's Swimming Cup has long been the cradle of Shanghai’s swimming champions. Olympic gold medalists Zhuang Yong and Le Jingyi, as well as world champions Zhu Yingwen and Tang Qianting, are just a few of the legendary swimmers who rose to the global spotlight after competing in this prestigious event.

At the competition venue, the children marched in proudly and confidently, listening to the starting gun before diving into the race. Even the kids swimming at the very back gave it their all, determined to finish the entire course. Many parents told reporters that their children aren’t necessarily competing against others—they’re first and foremost learning to overcome themselves, steadily improving with each year’s participation.

Children in Shanghai are increasingly enthusiastic about participating in swimming activities, according to the Shanghai Swimming Association, which announced that the upcoming "June 1st" Kids' Cup will expand its format by introducing regional qualifying rounds and a grand final. This move aims to broaden participation among swimming enthusiasts, encouraging more kids to learn and fall in love with swimming—while also providing a larger, more inclusive platform for nurturing the next generation of swimming talent.

This is not just a competitive showdown—it’s also a comprehensive test of the children’s training achievements. The event sponsors have gifted each young athlete with professional-grade swim caps featuring the event logo, encouraging them to push through challenges with determination and courage. Organized by the Shanghai Swimming Association, the competition is co-hosted by the Huangpu District Sports Federation and the Huangpu District Swimming Association, with logistical support from the Luwan Youth Sports School and the Huangpu Flying Fish Club. It is proudly sponsored by Arena (Shanghai) Industrial Co., Ltd.

Author: Tao Xingying, Xinmin Evening News