Pan Zhanle: Chinese swimmer who kicked off drugs controversy by thrashing Kyle Chalmers pulls off another incredible effort in the Paris pool
- Pan Zhanle has again defeated his rivals in the swimming pool at the Olympic Games in Paris
- A stunning split of 45.92 earned China gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay
- Zhanle, 20, also easily won the 100m freestyle in a world record time
Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle has created another unforgettable moment at the Paris Olympics, while speculation is rife as to whether the superstar is such a beautiful athlete.
Zhanle, who comfortably defeated Australia’s Kyle Chalmers in the 100m freestyle final, attracted renewed attention after recording the fastest ever 100m relay jump while competing for his country at the La Defense Arena.
After Zhanle’s lightning-fast split of 45.92, China won the gold medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay, another impressive performance from the 20-year-old.
His stunning performance comes as international competitors speak out against the controversial Chinese swimming team, which entered the Paris Games under a cloud of doping.
Many point out that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) in late 2020 and early 2021, ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
The Chinese anti-doping agency concluded at the time that all swimmers had eaten contaminated food and blamed Australian beef. Zhanle was not one of the 23 polar stars under investigation, but suspicions remain given his superhuman performance in Paris.
British star Adam Peaty questioned the “honor” of the Chinese swimmers. Australian top swimming coach Brett Hawke said Zhanle’s attempt to win the 100m freestyle by almost a body length ahead of Chalmers was unthinkable for an athlete who has no history of injuries.
“I studied speed. I understand it. I’m an expert in it, that’s what I do,” Hawke posted on Instagram.
Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle has created another dramatic moment at the Paris Olympics, amid ongoing speculation as to whether he is actually a clean athlete
Zhanle attracted attention again after recording the fastest ever 100m relay when he competed in the 4x100m freestyle final at the La Defense Arena
The Chinese star had earlier at the Games easily defeated Australian Kyle Chalmers (left) and Romanian David Popovici (right) in the 100m freestyle final
“You don’t beat those guys by one full body length in the 100m freestyle. It’s not humanly possible.”
Former Australian world champion and now media personality James Magnussen was impressed with Zhanle’s relay swimming performance.
“My whole career I’ve tried to run under 47 seconds,” he told the Matty and Missile Podcast.
“We were all there. That was the goal. I never thought in my life that I would see someone swim for 45 seconds. [over 100m].
“For most average people, that’s one lap. Pan does two laps. He doesn’t slow down.
“He keeps that pace up all the time. It’s insane what he does.”
Chalmers was humbled by his defeat, saying this week that he will have to “train even harder to be competitive” for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.