Paris 2024: National record for Gan on Olympic debut

By Patrick Johnston

Swimmer Gan Ching Hwee was left beaming with pride after producing a national record on her Olympic debut to smash her heat in the women’s 1500m freestyle at the Paris Games on Tuesday.

Ching Hwee clocked a time of 16 minutes, 10:13 seconds at the Paris La Défense Arena as she easily won her three-woman heat, shaving 0.48 seconds off her previous record set at the Singapore National Championships last month.

“It's quite hard to put into words honestly,” the 21-year-old student told reporters after becoming the first Singaporean female swimmer to set a national record at the Olympics since Tao Li in the women's 100m backstroke in 2012.

“I just really came in here to swim free, loose and be happy. Enjoy every minute of it which I did and I'm very happy with the result.”

Gan Ching Hwee jumps in to the pool for practice ahead of the women's 1500 metre freestyle heats at the Paris Olympics.  Photo: Sport Singapore/Andy Chua

The personal best time was good enough for ninth place across the three heats, meaning Ching Hwee just missed out on a place in the 8-women final against legendary American swimmer Katie Ledecky.

But the 11-times SEA Games gold medallist, and the first Singaporean woman to swim the 1500m at the Olympics, was rightfully only focussing on the positives.

“My goal was really to win the heat, and I did so that was one kind of milestone achieved. I was very happy with it. My first instinct wasn't really to look at the time honestly,” she said.

“I just really want to be competitive in terms of placing and move up the ranks as best as I can.”

Gan Ching Hwee turns her head as she takes a stroke during the women's 1500 metre freestyle heats at the Paris Olympics.  Photo: Sport Singapore/Andy Chua

In swimming’s marathon, Ching Hwee showed consistent pacing and strong technique over the gruelling 30-lap swim. She led her heat from the off, easily pulling away from her experienced Cuban rival, who finished 17 seconds back with the Maltese swimmer almost one minute behind.

Ching Hwee, who is studying nutrition sciences at the Indiana University in America, finished just 1.44 seconds off the final, which she is first reserve for if any athlete fails to make the start line on Wednesday.

Her Olympic debut will continue in Paris, though, as she is scheduled to take part in the women’s 800 metre heats on Friday and the women’s 4x100m medley relay on Saturday.

Gan Ching Hwee waves and smiles after winning the opening race of the women's 1500 metre freestyle heats at the Paris Olympics.  Photo: Sport Singapore/Andy Chua

Elsewhere in the pool, Jonathan Tan also made his Olympic debut as he recorded a fifth-place finish in his heat of the men’s 100m freestyle.

Tan produced a brilliant start to his race, leading after the turn only to be caught in the final stages. His time of 49.60 seconds left him 38^th out of 79 across the heats, meaning he did not advance to the semi-finals.

The 22-year-old Stanford University student, winner of eight SEA Games golds and two Asian Games bronze medals, will have another chance to compete in the Paris pool when he lines up in the men’s 50m freestyle heats on Thursday.

Jonathan Tan leaps off the blocks at the start of his heat in the men's 100 metre freestyle at the Paris Olympics.  Photo: Sport Singapore/Andy Chua

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games takes place in Paris, France from 26 July to 11 August 2024. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.