Pan Zhanle slams ‘disrespectful’ rivals, while Chinese fans lash out at ‘arrogant Westerners’
- The 19-year-old’s world-record performance in the men’s 100m freestyle has been called ‘impossible’ by Australian swimming commentator
Chinese fans have leapt to the defence of new 100m freestyle world-record holder Pan Zhanle, after a rival coach called his performance impossible, and the swimmer said his opponents from the United States and Australia had been “disrespectful”.
Social media users in China quickly rounded on “arrogant Westerners” and said it was “so satisfying to see their superiority complex smashed”.
The 19-year-old claimed gold in Paris by shattering his own world record in 46.40 seconds, faster than his previous best of 46.80 seconds, set in February. He finished more than a second ahead of the field.
Following the success, he highlighted the poor treatment his team had received, primarily from Australia’s Kyle Chalmers, who took silver, and US’ Jack Alexey, who was seventh.
“On the first day, during the 4×100m relay, I greeted Chalmers, but he completely ignored me, and even Alexey from the American team was dismissive,” he said. “During training, when our coach was on the side, they would splash water directly on him with their flips, which felt quite disrespectful.
