Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle smashed his own world record in 100 metres freestyle at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Wednesday to win a gold medal in the event. En route to his quest for gold, Pan also humbled a slew of his champion rivals. The 19-year-old sensation bettered his previous world-record timing by 0.40 seconds which was set at the World Championships in Doha in February this year. He bettered his timing by 0.40 seconds in the Paris Olympic Games and clocked 46.40 seconds in the race. Australia’s Kyle Chalmers bagged the silver medal as he finished 1.08 seconds behind Pan. Meanwhile, while David Popovici finished a further 0.01 seconds behind Chalmers to win the bronze. There was no easing in for Pan, who took off like a rocket and crushed the opening 50 metres in an outrageous 22.28 seconds. He mowed down any hopes Chalmers and Popovici might have had of catching him as he stretched his lead and flew to the wall.
