Pan Zhanle entered Paris in 2024 after setting the 100m freestyle world record at the World Champions in Doha at 46.80s. However, few would’ve guessed that the Chinese swimmer would shatter that record by registering 46.40s on the clock at the 100m freestyle finals inside La Défense Arena. The 20-year-old had already set an Olympic record in the first leg but made it feel like a warm-up in the finals.

Unfortunately for the world record-holder, doping allegations from the previous Olympics followed China’s swim team like an ominous shadow. Immediately after the incredible achievement, fans and experts accused the young swimming star of doping. Australian coach Brett Hawke came on particularly strong. “That’s not real… That’s not humanly possible,” said the coach. Now, weeks after the controversy, Zhanle has issued a firm but subtle response to Hawke and the doubters.

The phenom demolished the experienced competitors, such as Australia’s Kyle Chalmers, who trailed the Chinese swimmer by a whole body length. Brett Hawke alleged that the swimmer had to be on PEDs to beat Chalmers, who finished in 47.48s, so dramatically. “It would be great if he said it a few more times to mislead Westerners,” Pan Zhanle responded in an interview with Chinese media that surfaced on Reddit.

The 4x world champion said that Hawke had created a box. So, when his performance fell outside that box, it came off as an impossibility. However, the accusations didn’t affect Zhanle’s mental strength and instead acted as fuel. “It helps. All the hostility and disparaging words from everyone can be turned into my motivation,” said the swimmer.

Pan Zhanle proved that doubt and vitriol only made him better in Paris. Following the historic 100m race, the world and Olympic record holder swam even faster in the relays. During the 4x100m relay, the 3x Olympic medalist swam his 100m split in 45.92s, beating Jason Lezak’s 46.06s record set at the 2008 Summer Games. The global swimming sensation also revealed his approach toward disproving doping accusations.

Pan Zhanle has a two-fold method of shutting down doubters

The distrust of Chinese swimmers reached a fever pitch ahead of the Olympics when the NY Times made a shocking expose. They revealed never-before-seen communication between CHINADA and WADA, where the doping authorities allowed 22 Chinese swimmers to compete in Tokyo 2020 despite fining drug tests. While CHINADA provided evidence of tainted food, keeping the incident under wraps planted seeds of doubt in the swimming community at large.

Unfortunately, Pan Zhanle, who didn’t compete in Tokyo, got caught in the crossfire. However, he confidently defended his innocence, citing WADA testing records. “From May to July, I had 21 tests, no positive. Today we received a second test already,” the 7x Asian Games medalist told the media in Paris. During his repose, the athlete revealed a new number.

“Including my doping tests from last year through May to July of this year, there have been more than 50. All negative,” said the Olympic record holder. The 20-year-old also said this was the first step in his two-step method of countering accusations. “Secondly, I let my results speak for themselves,” added the phenom.

At just 20 years old, it seems the sky is the limit for Pan Zhanle. Although the critics will continue to doubt him, the swimmer hopes that through transparency and constant improvement, they’ll eventually admit defeat.