During the Olympics, Pan was subject to rigorous doping tests, a common practice for athletes displaying exceptional performance. In fact, the Chinese team faced increased scrutiny during the Games, with Pan undergoing 21 doping tests from May to July alone, all of which returned negative results. Additionally, Pan has no history of asthma, heart conditions, or depression, further underscoring his clean and dedicated approach to the sport.
Just three days before his 20th birthday, China's Pan Zhanle delivered an unforgettable performance at the Paris Olympics, securing Olympic gold and international recognition.
Pan shattered his own world record in the 100 meters freestyle, clocking an astounding 46.40 seconds at Paris La Defense Arena, surpassing his previous best of 46.8 seconds set in February.
Skepticism followed his achievement – with an Australian coach deeming it "not humanly possible" – yet Pan has a history of defying expectations.
That February record was set during the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, in the 4x100m freestyle relay's leadoff leg. Two months later, Pan again broke the 47-second barrier at China’s national championships, posting a time of 46.97 seconds.
Originating from Wenzhou in Zhejiang province, the swimmer known as China’s “flying fish” discovered his talent early on. Exceptional fitness earned him a place in the Wenzhou Youth Swimming School’s talent class at age four.
"Once I started swimming, I couldn’t stop," Pan recalled. "I quickly learned all four strokes, and the more I practiced, the more addicted I became."
Pan often attributes his early success to his grandfather, who mentored him throughout his early career. "He took me to training every morning and picked me up afterward, rain or shine," Pan said. His grandfather recognized his potential early, saying, "He is hardworking and has the spirit of a fighter."
At age 10, Pan made headlines by winning seven gold medals in five days during the 2014 Zhejiang Provincial Games. As for his future ambitions, Pan aimed to swim "faster than Sun Yang," a three-time Olympic champion.
Fast forward nine years, and Pan became only the third Chinese man to win an individual swimming gold at the Olympics, joining the ranks of Sun Yang and Wang Shun.
Despite his successes, Pan faced challenges. Nicknamed “spectator in the stands” on social media – a moniker he coined himself – Pan used it as motivation. After not making the finals in his individual event at the 2021 short-course world championships in Abu Dhabi, Pan said, "I must swim well and shed this ‘dishonorable’ name."
His dedication was so intense that while most swimmers might face increased training as discipline, Pan's coach would reduce his training instead. "I would punish him by not allowing him to get in the pool, and he would feel really uncomfortable," Pan’s former coach Wang Shi explained.
In 2023, Pan broke the Asian record in the men's 100m freestyle at the Chinese national championships with a time of 47.22 seconds, then surpassed it at the Asian Games in Hangzhou with 46.97 seconds. He became the first swimmer to go under 22 seconds in the 50m freestyle, sub-47 in the 100m, and under 1:45 in the 200m.
Pan's focus, however, was not just on breaking records but on winning. “Achievement of records does not necessarily put the China team on the podium, but we cannot be cowards,” he said after the relay team set a world record in Doha. “You just have to dare to think and dare to fight.”
In 2022, American swimming coach Mark Schubert suggested Pan switch to the individual medley, doubting China's ability to compete in the 100m freestyle. Pan took this as a challenge. “I’m rebellious by nature,” he said after Doha, showing Schubert his gold medal. “The more others doubt my abilities, the more determined I am to prove them wrong.”