“This was a magical moment, really magical,” said China’s Pan Zhanle after setting a new world record in February. Pan, a top contender at the Paris Olympics, now faces doping allegations following a positive test. The news has shaken the swimming community and raised questions about the integrity of the competition. Romanian star David Popovici has added to the tension with his strong opinions on the matter. Pan’s achievements, including an Olympic record in the men’s 100m freestyle and a FINA Championship title, had made him a global sensation.

However, recent doping allegations have cast a shadow over his success. Two other Chinese athletes also tested positive for steroids in October 2022, intensifying scrutiny on Pan. Following these revelations, Popovici, the bronze-winning Romanian swimmer, remarked on his Chinese rival’s victory.

David Popovici’s comment accusing Pan Zhanle of doping went viral

Popovici also showed his professionalism. He said, “This is only motivation for us. I mean, we can’t be mad, we can only congratulate him. This is what sports is.” His words emphasized the importance of celebrating achievements rather than being upset about not winning. He even stressed that if their team pushed their boundaries further, they might have clinched the gold this time. In one of the most ferocious races in swimming, 19-year-old Pan carried off victory, nipping just ahead of Australian star Kyle Chalmers, who bagged silver with a 47.48, followed by Romanian bronze medalist David Popovici at 47.49.

After Pan bagged the gold medal in the Olympics, breaking his own record, the 100m freestyle finished at 46.40 seconds, leaving all the Aussies behind, some of whom burst over the internet. The 19-year-old Chinese star Pan told CCTV he felt snubbed by Australia’s Kyle Chalmers and American Jack Alexy during the 4×100 free relay on Saturday. Pan broke the Olympic record with his 46.92 leadoff in the final. “After the 4×100 free relay, I went to say hi to Kyle [Chalmers] and he ignored me,” Pan said. Chalmers took silver with 47.48, while Alexy placed 7th with 47.96. Pan seemed friendly with Chalmers during Tuesday’s semifinals. “Pan, the Chinese boy, straight before we walked out said: ‘You’re my idol and I love, love, love watching you,’” Chalmers said on Tuesday night.

Pan wasn’t among the 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned substance in January 2021. With the media focusing on a potential doping scandal, Chinese swimmers were tested almost 200 times in their first 10 days in Paris. Chalmers expressed confidence in his own dedication to the sport and the integrity of the competition. “I trust that everyone’s doing the same as I am, staying true to the sport,” he said. “I did everything I possibly could to challenge for that gold medal and be on the top podium.” The silver medallist emphasized his commitment to winning while trusting that all competitors are equally committed to upholding sportsmanship.

He has not been involved in any doping allegations connected to swimmers from China ahead of the upcoming Olympics. Chinese swimmers have denied these doping accusations, asserting they have been tested frequently, sometimes up to four times a week. Michael Phelps also commented on Pan’s significant win at the Paris Olympics, giving Pan more confidence. Phelps told NBC, “That is mind-blowing for me. I’ve never seen a win of that margin in that race in my career. And to go 46.4 – that’s unheard of!” This remark gave enough attention and confidence to this young Chinese athlete who gave tough competition to all Australian swimmers at the Paris Olympics.

David Popovici and Pan Zhanle’s performance at the Paris Olympics set the standard high

David Popovici, known for his appreciation of simplicity, raised the bar again by winning gold in the 200m freestyle. When he saw his name at the top of the Paris La Defense Arena scoreboard on Monday, July 29, he celebrated with unrestrained joy. With danger looming, Popovici surged in the last 25 meters to finish with a winning time of 1:44.72. His final push secured his gold medal and won the intense race. He splashed the water and posed with his gold medal, making a face for the photographers. “It was a pure dogfight,” Popovici said about the race.

On the other hand, Pan Zhanle gave Popovici tough competition with his extraordinary performance in the 100m freestyle. Pan took 46.40 seconds to outpace all his opponents, setting a new world record.

He decisively beat competitors like Kyle Chalmers and David Popovici. Zhanle’s time was 1.08 seconds faster than Chalmers’, who held nine Olympic medals before this final but couldn’t match Zhanle’s pace. After his massive win, Pan shared his unique technique. He said his main strategy was sprinting harder, even if tired. “In the last 15 meters, I realized I had pulled away from them too much, and they had no chance of catching up,” he explained.

Pan emphasized that thinking about his country helped him as he entered the water. “It’s a historic event,” Popovici said. As these two champions continue to push the boundaries of swimming, fans eagerly await their next moves and future triumphs.