Another Chinese athlete carrying big expectations in Brazil is Alex Hua Tian. The 26-year-old born in England was the first to ever represent China in equestrian when he competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and he is now Rio gearing up for his second Games.

The Olympic Equestrian Center in northern Rio boasts a new layout that opened last week. Around 200 riders and horses will be competing in three disciplines: dressage, jumping, and eventing, with individual and team competitions in each for a total of six gold medals. Training for eventing begins on August 1st, and the event features 64 competitors, including Hua Tian. 

This will be Hua Tian's second Olympics, but the first for his horse Geniro, who is only nine years old and at the age limit for horses. Eventing will be held from August 6th to the 9th and the biggest challenge for Hua Tian and Geniro will be the second event, cross-country. At the 2008 Beijing Games, Hua Tian fell off his horse and pulled out of the competition, so this time the 26-year-old's goal is to make the most of the experience. 

"This is my second Olympics, I think the most important thing for me is to be myself and enjoy Olympics," he said.

Hua Tian will be looking to add to his many accomplishments in Equestrian, such as being the youngest to ever compete in Eventing at the Olympics when he did so at 18 years old. And as the only Chinese competing in the sport at the Games, he will have the eyes of the most populous nation in the world focused on him when he takes the reins in Rio.