Does breaking records mean you’re doping? That’s a question Pan Zhanle had to face, even though he wasn’t involved in any wrongdoing. At the Olympic Games in Paris, only two individual world records were broken. On the final night, Bobby Finke from the U.S. made waves by setting a new global standard in the 1500-meter freestyle. But the real standout was Pan Zhanle, who blew everyone away by clocking an incredible 46.40 in the 100-meter freestyle. Not only did he smash his previous record of 46.80 by nearly half a second, but he also took home the gold, finishing over a second ahead of silver medalist Kyle Chalmers, the 2016 Olympic champ. Now, it looks like Pan is gearing up to show the world once again that he can break records.

Pan Zhanle is all set for the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup this month! The short-course series kicks off in Shanghai from October 18 to 20, followed by events in Incheon from October 24 to 26, and Singapore from October 31 to November 2. He’ll be joined by some serious talent, including China’s Qin Haiyang and Zhang Yufei, along with France’s Leon Marchand. But it’s hard not to think about his past doping tests. If he had tested positive, it could have really changed the conversation around his achievements and caused a lot of controversy in the swimming world. So, what exactly happened to him?

What is the doping controversy surrounding Pan Zhanle?

After Zhanle Pan really made a splash at the 2024 Olympic Games, winning gold in the 100m freestyle, fans were thrilled. At the same time, his achievement sparked some serious discussions due to a doping scandal that hit Chinese swimming just months earlier. During that period of time, it was revealed that 23 swimmers had used prohibited substances during the Tokyo Olympics, which made them test positive. Now, it brought up the question about the legitimacy of the records being achieved.

The World Anti-Doping Agency then acknowledged the results of an investigation that linked doping tests to potential contamination originating from a hotel kitchen facility endorsed by athletes and staff alike. Additionally, an impartial assessment affirmed WADA’s handling of the situation, while a comprehensive review conducted by World Aquatics assured there was no evidence of mismanagement or concealment by the overseeing authority.

However, Pan wasn’t one of those athletes caught up in the scandal. He’s been adamant that he’s been closely monitored and has never failed a doping test. “Last year I received 29 tests and never had a positive,” he told reporters through a translator. “From May to July, I had 21 tests, no positive. Today we received a second test already. I don’t think there has been any impact (on me) because all the testing has been done in the normal procedure… So it’s not a big issue.”

Given the cloud of suspicion cast by the doping scandal overhead, there are individuals who doubt the authenticity of Pan’s achievement. Notably, a retired Olympic athlete went as far as to shave off that much time in such a short span. With doubts and skepticism surrounding Pan, he faces a challenge ahead. Will he be able to show that his record is genuine?

How did this Chinese swimmer respond to the controversy?

Pan Zhanle’s gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games marked a proud moment for the Chinese swim team, which also secured silvers from men’s backstroker Xu Jiayu and women’s 100m breaststroke competitor Tang Qianting. Additionally, Zhang Yufei, who took bronze in the women’s 100-meter butterfly, has faced scrutiny as one of the 23 swimmers linked to a doping scandal revealed last April. Despite this, Pan was not implicated and emphasized the importance of his performance for China, stating, “For me, I don’t think it means a lot because life continues. For China, I think the gold medal means a lot because this is the first time China has broken a world record at these Games.” He added that his swim was a “perfect performance” that inspired the entire Chinese team.

However, Pan’s record-breaking achievement hasn’t come without another controversy. Australian coach Brett Hawke expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of Pan’s performance, claiming that it’s “not humanly possible” to win by such a large margin against top-tier competition. Pan responded to Hawke’s comments, saying, “It would be great if he said it a few more times to mislead Westerners,” suggesting that the coach had created a box of expectations that he had now exceeded. Despite the doubters, Pan used the criticism as motivation, stating, “All the hostility and disparaging words from everyone can be turned into my motivation.”

After his historic race, Pan didn’t just stop there; he further showcased his talent during the 4x100m relay, where he swam a split time of 45.92 seconds, breaking Jason Lezak’s previous record from the 2008 Summer Games. As the Chinese swimming team continues to face scrutiny following the earlier doping revelations, Pan’s achievements have become a source of national pride, proving that his hard work and commitment to training have paid off amidst the challenges.