After winning gold when he set the new world record in the men’s 100-meter freestyle on Wednesday at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle criticized Australia’s Kyle Chalmers and the United States’ Jack Alexy for their unsportsmanlike behavior.
According to Reuters transcriptions of an interview Pan gave after the race, “When I finished the 4×100 freestyle relay the other day, I said ‘Hi’ to Chalmers, but he totally ignored me.” Pan said this in a TV interview following the race.
Differing Perspectives
Pan went on to state: “Also, Alexy from the U.S. When we were training, our coach was standing by the poolside and he turned in such a way that the water splashed right onto the coach. I felt he looked down on us a little.”
Chalmers, who came in second, had a different perspective.
“A Bit Weird”
According to news.au.com, the Australian claimed that Pan told him before the race, “You’re my idol and I love, love, love watching you.”
According to Reuters, Chalmers commented on Pan’s statement, “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.
Odd Handshakes
Chalmers went on to state: “We had a laugh together at warm-down last night, but no issues from my end.”
According to news.au.com, the two exchanged odd handshakes on the podium following the race, and Chalmers did not question Pan’s new record.
Breaking Records
According to the outlet, Chalmers stated, “For him to produce a 46.40 and break the world record in the Olympic final is incredible”
“I do everything I possibly can to win the race, and guess everyone’s doing the same as I am and staying true to the sport and integrity of sport.”
Chalmers Statement
Chalmers continued by saying: “I trust that’s he’s done everything he possibly can to be there. And he deserves that gold medal.
“And I did everything I possibly could to challenge for that gold medal.”
Swimming Scandal
Behind the scenes of this swimming quarrel is the Chinese swimming scandal that has shaken the game, despite the fact that Pan has not been connected to any illegal practices, per Reuters.
A shocking April report uncovered that 23 Chinese contenders competed at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics despite testing positive for a prohibited substance, trimetazidine.
Widespread Contamination
According to Reuters, an audit conducted by World Aquatics validated the World Anti-Doping Agency’s statement that it concurred with China’s claim that widespread contamination was to blame for the results.
The Chinese group won three golds and six swimming medals during those Olympics, and 11 swimmers connected to the scandal are competing in the current year’s events, per NBC News.
Australia and China Rivalry
According to NBC, Chinese officials have described the doping allegations as “false,” “misleading,” and “defamatory.”
According to news.au.com, China “suggested” that an Australian beef company could be behind two additional Chinese swimmers testing positive for a banned substance in 2022 before being cleared again, adding another layer to the potential rivalry between Australia and China.
Competing Clean
American swimming phenom Katie Ledecky said before the Games began that she trusted no competitors were utilizing unlawful techniques to acquire an advantage.
Ledecky told the New York Times: “I hope everyone here (in Paris) is going to be competing clean this week. But what really matters also is: Were they training clean? Hopefully, that’s been the case. Hopefully, there’s been even testing around the world.”
Breaking Records
Ledecky continued by stating: “I think everyone’s heard what the athletes think. They want transparency. They want further answers to the questions that still remain.”
In spite of all the controversy, Pan finished the race in 46.4 seconds, beating his February world record by 0.40 seconds.
“Challenging Pool”
According to the official website, he became the first swimmer to set a new world record at the Olympics this year.
Pan finished 1.08 seconds in front of Chalmers, while Alexy ended in seventh positiong.
According to Retuers, Pan stated, “Today, I finally beat them all. In such a challenging pool, I broke the world record. This is a tremendous performance and a great start for team China.”
