Pan smashes own 100m freestyle world record for gold

Pan Zhanle of China, aged 19, broke his own 100 meters freestyle world record at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, securing a remarkable gold medal and outshining numerous champion competitors.

His time of 46.40 seconds was an impressive 0.40 seconds faster than his previous record set at the World Championships in Doha in February, where he made a name for himself with an outstanding relay lead-off swim.

In a statement to reporters via a translator, Pan expressed his surprise at breaking the world record, describing it as a magical moment that he achieved by giving his best effort.

Australia's Kyle Chalmers, who won the silver medal, trailed behind Pan by a significant 1.08 seconds, while David Popovici claimed the bronze, finishing just 0.01 second after Chalmers.

Pan wasted no time in the race, starting strong and covering the first 50 meters in an impressive 22.28 seconds, leaving his competitors far behind.

Despite the doping controversies surrounding China's swim team, Pan's victory at the Olympics showcased his talent and determination, earning him his first Olympic gold medal after winning the world title five months earlier.

He said he had been tested more than 20 times over the past few months but trod a diplomatic path when asked whether it had affected him.

"The testing was essentially done under all the regulations, so I don't feel there was any difference or influence," he said.

Chalmers, the gold medallist at Rio 2016, took his second silver in the event and eighth medal at Olympics, having finished runnerup behind Caeleb Dressel at the Tokyo Games.

Chalmers overcame a back injury before Olympic trials and a change of coach after his former one Peter Bishop was stood down in March after an undisclosed investigation.

"I've been swimming the same race plan for the last eight years, and it's worked pretty well for me. It almost worked well for me. I guess tonight to get a silver medal still was amazing," said Chalmers.

Popovici, who previously held the world record before Pan took it at Doha, added the bronze to his 200m freestyle gold medal at Paris.