Pan Zhanle’s Olympic gold medal win ‘not humanly possible’, Australian coach says | South China Morning Post

Pan Zhanle’s Olympic gold medal win ‘not humanly possible’, Australian coach says | South China Morning Post
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Pan Zhanle’s Olympic gold medal win ‘not humanly possible’, Australian coach says
The Chinese superstar’s 46.4-second victory ignited celebrations back in China, but has been met with suspicion by his rivals

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Ira Gorawara
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Published: 3:38pm, 1 Aug 2024
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An Australian swimming commentator and coach has said Pan Zhanle’s record-breaking victory in the Olympic 100-metre freestyle was “not humanly possible”.

The Chinese superstar’s win in 46.40 seconds sparked celebrations back in China, but has been met with suspicion by his rivals.

Australia’s Kyle Chalmers posted a time of 47.48, more than a second adrift of Pan, and commentator and coach Brett Hawke, who is not a member of the country’s Olympic set-up, expressed disbelief at the commanding manner of the victory on his Instagram page.



“That swim was not real life. Not in that pool, not against that field,” he wrote in the caption.

Hawke’s comments come on the back of recent controversies surrounding the Chinese swimming team.


Earlier this year, it was revealed 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) ahead of the Tokyo Games, and despite the World Anti-Doping Association (Wada) being aware of the failed tests, they were allowed to compete. The US suggested Wada was withholding information.
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Hawke’s criticism came alongside Pan’s claim that Chalmers had snubbed his offer of a handshake after the race.

However, the Australian swimmer said afterwards that he believed there was no foul play in the 19-year-old’s victory.

“I do everything I possibly can to win the race, and I trust that everyone’s doing the same as I am and staying true to the integrity of sport,” Chalmers said. “I trust it, I trust that he’s done everything he possibly can to be there and he deserves that gold medal.”


There was a polarising response online to Hawke’s claims, with many suggesting they were out of order.

“Are you serious? It’s disrespectful to accuse someone of something they’ve been and are being tested on. It seems like you Australians, Americans and some Europeans are a bit prejudiced when it’s not you who do the extraordinary,” one comment with more than 100 likes said.

Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle stormed to victory in record-breaking fashion in the 100-metre freestyle. Photo: Reuters

“We all even laughed at the number of times they were tested - like 200 times and they all came back negative. Acknowledge defeat and do not be selective in morality,” another wrote in response to Hawke’s video.

Others suggested that Pan hailing from China influenced Hawke’s thinking.

“If the guy was from the USA, the conversation would be different and you’d be here talking about how phenomenal he is …” another added.

But Hawke found his following, too.

“SAY. IT. LOUDER. And for those saying the team is being repeatedly tested, that means nothing … they have had ZERO consequences for their positive tests over the last 3 years that have been hidden. Why would that change now?” one wrote.

Gold medal-winner Pan Zhanle (centre) alongside silver-medallist Kyle Chalmers (left), while David Popovici (right) picked up the bronze. Photo: Reuters

Hawke, who is based in the United States and claims to be one of the world’s best swim coaches, hosted a live telecast of the race, co-hosting with four other swimming experts and aficionados.

Before the race began, the commentator said he believed Chalmers would win, while the rest backed America’s Jack Alexey, who ultimately finished seventh.

After the race concluded, one that seemed to be billed the “most dominant 100m freestyle in Olympic history”, Hawke was rendered speechless for minutes.

“That was wild … when you put a second on a field like that, you can’t help but have questions, like I just can’t help it,” he said. “Especially with the history and everything that’s going on. You put a full second on a field like that? I mean, I have questions. It’s too much.”


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Ira Gorawara
Ira was born and raised in Hong Kong and is now a student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she is the Sports editor of the Daily Bruin.