World Athletics president Sebastian Coe hailed Chinese athletes' "upward trajectory" in Tokyo, adding: "You've seen the strength in endurance events. Chinese relay teams now are extremely competitive. You have seen the wide range of talent that has emerged and is emerging in the field as well. Su Bingtian is a really good example of the progress that is now being made in the short distances."

In rowing, the quartet of Chen Yunxia, Zhang Ling, Lyu Yang and Cui Xiaotong won the country's second ever gold in the women's quadruple sculls, while Zhang Liang and Liu Zhiyu collected bronze in the double sculls to bring home the country's first Olympic medal on the men's side.