Liu Zige

Sport: Swimming

Nation: People's Republic of China

DOB: March 31, 1989

Hometown: Benxi

Career Highlights: Liu won China's only gold medal in swimming at the 2008 Olympics and did so in dramatic fashion, setting a world record in the 200-meter butterfly. After making her international debut at the 2005 world championships, Liu progressed steadily, but her victory in Beijing was still considered an upset. However, she proved the performance was no fluke when she regained the world record at the 2009 Chinese National Games with a stunning time of 2:01:81. Since then, Liu has struggled, rarely reaching the top of the podium in either domestic or international meets. She finished a disappointing third in the 200 fly at the 2012 Chinese Olympic trials, blaming her struggles on a disagreement with coach Jim Wei.

Olympic History: 2008