The "Swimming Around Sichuan" 2021 Guangyuan "Crossing Jialing River" Open Water Swimming Competition kicked off on Sept 11 in Guangyuan, Southwest China's Sichuan province.

Volunteers perform on stage before the  swimming competition in Guangyuan, Southwest China's Sichuan province on Sept 11. [Photo provided by Guangyuan city]

More than 280 swimmers made up 24 teams, fighting for glory on behalf of 12 cities and prefectures of the province and surrounding areas.

Different from the previous year, this year's event was divided into two categories -- individual and relay. 

Swimmers race each other to the other side of the river. [Photo provided by Guangyuan city]

Competitors in the 800-meter individual competition were divided into four groups -- men's group A, men's B, women's C, and women's D.

The race results were calculated down to one-hundredth of a second, ensuring that they would be as accurate as possible. Swimmers were allowed to use any stroke they liked.

Notably, the relay race required four players to be selected from among the individual participants to swim 3,050 meters. Each relay team had to have at least one female athlete. 

Female swimmers give a thumbs-up during the competition. [Photo provided by Guangyuan city]

The top 12 swimmers received awards for the individual match, while the top eight won prizes in the relay competition. The swimmers showed their own unique swimming style as they raced on the Jialing River.

Spectators blow air horns as they watch the racers. [Photo provided by Guangyuan city]

Guangyuan, with its favorable climatic and geographical conditions, has always been a place for innovation and change.

The event aims to implement an outline for building a sports power, promote the integrated development of water sports and cultural tourism on the Jialing River, and turn itself into an influential brand name across the country.