“It was a magical moment, really magical.” It did not take much time for the Chinese swimmer to break his personal best, which also happens to be the World Record. The 20-year-old Pan Zhanle triumphed over the 2016 Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers in the 100 meters, securing his country’s first swimming gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Remarkably, this victory came in Pan Zhanle’s debut Olympic appearance and it also became the largest-ever margin victory since the 1928 Olympics by 1.08 seconds!

With his breathtaking victory, Zhanle not only bested rivals from Australia, America, and beyond, but also delivered America’s first defeat in this event since its debut at the 1960 Olympics. In 2023, Zhanle etched his name into the annals of history as the first swimmer to conquer the trio of milestones: dipping below 22 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle, breaking the 47-second barrier in the 100-meter freestyle, and plunging under 1:45 in the 200-meter freestyle.

Before heading to Paris 2024, Pan Zhanle disclosed in an interview that he was capable of swimming the 100m freestyle in 46.50 seconds. However, to keep his full potential under wraps from his competitors, he requested that the interview not be broadcast until after the Olympics had ended.

Pan Zhanle: “Don’t broadcast it”

After the Olympics ended for Pan Zhanle, an interview was broadcasted where he said, “Then don’t.. Don’t broadcast it,” when he was asked to tell the truth about the Paris Olympics. Zhanle stated, “I think it’s a good thing that I was only 0.06 seconds faster when I broke the world record in Doha back in February. Not swimming faster. Some details are not as good as they could be.” Zhanle, before the 2024 Olympics, went to Doha for the World Aquatics Championships, which was held earlier this year in February. He created a new world record there by clocking in the time of 46.80.

Zhanle continued, “If I do reach 46.6, 46.5 seconds, those guys must be aiming for 46.5 seconds. It will be hard for me to break another record. But now they think I can only swim 46.8 seconds. Even if I break the record again, it will be 46.7.” Well, call it a smart move by Zhanle to not get the interview broadcasted, or call it a master plan. Either way, it worked out for him. “My opponents will think that 46.8 seconds is my limit. Let’s say it’s a smokescreen. But at the same time, I have to double or triple my efforts on the training. So I can make this 46.8 seconds a real smokescreen.” The misdirection that Zhanle wanted to create by not broadcasting the interview eventually turned out to be in his favor at last as he continued to excel at the Paris Olympics.

At the Paris Olympics, Zhanle not only shattered his own records but also triumphed over Australian champion Kyle Chalmers, the illustrious world record holder in the 4×100 meter medley relay and the mixed freestyle relay. Chalmers, who claimed gold in the 100-meter freestyle at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and secured silver three years ago in Tokyo, met his match as Zhanle’s dazzling performance stole the spotlight. The rival duo has experienced some tension lately, with Zhanle giving Chalmers the cold shoulder. “On the first day, at the 4×100 relay, after we finished swimming, I greeted Chalmers. He didn’t pay me any attention at all,” said Zhanle but Chalmers denied the accusations by saying, “I find it a bit weird, I gave him a fist pump before the relays and then my focus went to my teammates and my own racing. We had a laugh together at warm down last night–but no issues from my end.”

As the tension brewed between the two rivals, Zhanle faced doping allegations linked to an incident from three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics.

Team China, Pan Zhanle, and doping allegations

Team China has faced intensified scrutiny since it was revealed that 23 swimmers tested positive for a banned substance before the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. The World Anti-Doping authorities ultimately accepted China’s explanation that the positive tests were due to contaminated food consumed at a team hotel. While Zhanle was accused of doping, Chalmers defended him by saying, “I do everything I possibly can to win the race and trust everyone’s doing the same as I am, staying true to the integrity of sport.” As Chalmers stood up in Zhanle’s defense, it dawned on him that his previous accusations were nothing more than shadows of misunderstanding, casting an unjust gloom on Chalmers. This moment of clarity made him see that such claims were misplaced and undeserved.

Zhanle felt sorry for the hate that Chalmers received and said, “Chalmers might not have seen me because they were excited after winning the silver medal. Now, he is facing cyberbullying. I feel sorry for him.” He added, ” On the last day he came to me to exchange swim cap with me, so I respect such an opponent.” “My word came out with impulsiveness. I was excited at that moment. I still regret for causing him suffering cyberbullying.” Zhanle holds great respect for Chalmers, admiring his rise to fame at such a young age, winning the Olympics at 18, and enduring subsequent surgeries. Chalmers’ journey, marked by turbulence and challenge, stands as a testament to resilience and serves as a powerful source of inspiration for both Zhanle and the world.

Though the cold war between the two seems to be thawing, we can still look forward to their playful banter continuing in the competitions to come!