China has recently unveiled its star-studded 621-member delegation for the2012 London Olympic Games, to be held from July 27 to Aug 12.

Carrying high expectations for success, a total of 396 Chinese athletes, including 171 men and 225 women, will compete in 212 events for 23 sports excluding soccer, equestrian and handball.

244 athletes in the strong squad will make their debut at the Games, some of which are widely expected to win gold based on their recent performances at world events.

Here, China.org.cn has compiled ten of the most promising young athletes in the Chinese squad.

  Sun Yang  孫揚

 

 Date of Birth:Dec. 1, 1991

Sport:Swimming

Dubbed "Liu Xiang of the swimming pool", Sun Yang is a world-record-holding distance swimmer from China. Sun will compete in the men's 200-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle, 1500-meter freestyle and 4X200-meter freestyle at the upcoming London Olympics. He is expected to win the first Olympic gold for China in 1500-meter freestyle.

Poised to be China's new swimming star, Sun took part in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and won the gold in the men's 800-meter freestyle at the 2011 World Championships. Four days later, he broke the world record in the 1500-meter freestyle held by Grant Hackett for over 10 years.