Current 100m freestyle swimming World Championship titleholder Ning Zetao of China has obtained a spot to compete in the upcoming 2016 Rio Olympics this August, despite speculations of having been disqualified from the Chinese Olympic team over an advertisement dispute with the nation's sports governing body.

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Ning, a native of Zhengzhou, Henan, rose to fame following his historical victory in the men's 100 m freestyle at the 2015 FINA World Aquatics Championships that was staged in Kazan, Russia. Ning became the first ever Asian swimmer to win the sprint freestyle event at the world championships.

According to a report in Chinese media, the 23-year-old athlete was involved in discord with the National Swimming Administrative Center after he reportedly signed a dairy brand as his personal sponsor, which is the rival brand of the national team's dairy sponsor.

The multi-awarded Chinese swimmer is said to have been excluded from the country's Olympic roster due to a violation of a team rule "stipulating that any individual athlete's commercial endorsements should be approved by the center first," China Daily noted.

However, on Monday, during a ceremony for the presentation of China's Olympic delegation held in Beijing, the controversial swimmer appeared in a national uniform. He dismissed talks of his disqualification and assured fans that he is ready to compete at the Rio Olympics.

"I feel honored and proud to be part of China's Olympic delegation to Rio," Ning said.

The National Swimming Administrative Center has not officially commented on the issue.

According to Swim Swam, Ning will be facing Nathan Adrian of the United States and rival Cameron McEvoy of Australia in the 100m freestyle event. Ning got the better of McEvoy in Kazan last year, claiming the world title in a time of 47.84. Most recently at China's Olympic Trials in April, Ning recorded a semi-final time of 47.96.

Tags2016 Rio Olympics, Ning Zetao, fina world championship, cameron mcenvoy, Nathan Adrian