FOR THE RECORD: 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (10m platform synchronized); 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (10m platform, 10m platform synchronized); 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (10m platform, 10m platform synchronized); 2015 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (10m platform synchronized), bronze (mixed 3m & 10m Team); 2013 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (10m platform synchronized), silver (10m platform); 2011 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (10m platform, 10m platform synchronized); 2009 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (10m platform synchronized), silver (10m platform); 2007 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (10m platform synchronized), silver (10m platform); Diving World Series: 48 gold, 5 silver, 1 bronze; Diving Grand Prixes: 17 gold, 5 silver; Diving World Cup: 8 gold, 1 silver; Asian Games: 2 gold.
Chen was born in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China, a city surrounded by water. Upon entering elementary school, her family noticed she was shy and didn’t talk much. They exposed her to various activities until she found one that she loved. It was swimming.
Then, upon learning to swim at the age of 5, Chen Roulin discovered diving. “There was something mesmerizing about standing at the edge of the springboard, staring down at the deep blue below,” she says, “It felt like home.”
It was while she was playing on the board that her natural talent was noticed by Gao Feng, coach of the Jiangsu Provincial Team. It was under Gao’s guidance that Chen built the foundation for her future success.
In 2003 when she was only 11 years old, Chen swept three gold medals in the National Children’s Diving Competition. Being highly self-motivated, she challenged herself to “jump to a higher level and be the best.” When she won fifth place in the 10-meter event at the National Diving Championships in 2004, Zhou Jihong, the director of the Chinese National Diving Team, selected her for the national team to train under coach Ren Shaofen.
In 2006 at the age of 14, Chen made her international debut on the Australian stage at the FINA Grand Prix. It was her first major experience standing atop a podium, and it ignited her love for competing overseas.
Eighteen months later at the age of 16, Chen won two gold medals in the 10-meter platform events at the Beijing Olympic Games; one individual and another in synchronized with partner, Wang Xin. She would repeat this success at the 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai and again at the 2012 London Olympic Games with new partner, Wang Hao.
But Chen’s path was neither glamorous nor easy.
Post London, the years of grueling training sessions and high-velocity impacts began to take their toll. Despite more frequent recurring injuries and problems adjusting to bodily changes brought on by maturation, all compounded by the relentless pressures of social media scrutiny, her commitment never wavered. Fueled by an indomitable spirit, she captured her fifth Olympic gold medal at the Rio Games in 2016, winning her third consecutive 10-meter synchronized title, this time alongside Liu Huixia.
Chen retired after Rio at the age of 24, leaving an unparalleled legacy. Beyond being the first woman to defend both Olympic 10-meter titles, she was undefeated in major 10-meter synchronized competitions for nearly a decade from 2008 to 2016 with three different partners.
After earning a degree in Public Administration from Renmin University, Chen sought to give back to the sport she loved. Following brief roles as a diving judge and as a member of the FINA Technical Diving Committee, she found her true calling in coaching. Joining the Chinese National Team staff in 2021, her impact was immediate, guiding athletes Quan Hongchan and Lian Junjie to Olympic gold in Paris 2024. Her passion now lies in mentoring the next generation towards LA 2028 and beyond.