Pan Zhanle leads China to historic victory in medley relay

In a spectacular conclusion to the swimming events at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Chinese men's 4x100m medley relay team emerged victorious with a remarkable time of 3 minutes 27.46 seconds. With the exception of Australia at the 1980 Games in Moscow, which were boycotted by the U.S., the four Chinese athletes - Xu Jiayu, Qin Haiyang, Sun Jiajun, and Pan Zhanle - are the only non-American team to win since the event was added to the Olympics in 1960.

The standout performance came from Wenzhou's Pan Zhanle, whose extraordinary freestyle split of 45.92 seconds in the final leg catapulted China from third to first place. The victory came on Pan's 20th birthday.

On Aug 1, Pan made headlines by winning the men's 100m freestyle and setting a new world record with a time of 46.40 seconds. This achievement marked the Chinese swimming team's first gold medal at the Paris Olympics and the first world record at the La Défense Arena during these Games.

Pan expressed his gratitude in a heartfelt Weibo post, stating, "I am not fighting alone; behind me is the powerful Chinese team! This gold medal is dedicated to our great motherland!"

Pan's accomplishments and sunny and straightforward personality have earned him much admiration. Netizens have been comparing his impact in the pool to Usain Bolt's legendary 9.58-second 100m dash on the track.

Born in Lucheng district, Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, Pan's journey into swimming began when the Wenzhou Youth Swimming School visited his kindergarten to scout for young talent. His parents, eager to cultivate his interests and enhance his physical fitness, enrolled him in swimming lessons.

Pan's initial coach, Ye Xin, recalls selecting him for his height, long arm span, flexible shoulder joints, and excellent ankle flexibility.

In October 2008, Pan began training at the Wenzhou Youth Swimming School. His training regimen quickly intensified from three sessions a week to six, each lasting an hour.

"After a year of training, Pan started to display remarkable speed," Ye said. "He outperformed his peers not just in freestyle but also in backstroke, and his explosive power and speed were exceptional. Pan's understanding and execution were outstanding, consistently meeting all the required standards."

After three years under Coach Ye's guidance, Pan advanced to the Wenzhou Sports School. He began amassing medals from a young age, winning his first gold and silver in initial competitions.

In 2013, he won seven gold medals at the Wenzhou City Games, followed by another seven at the 2014 Zhejiang Provincial Games. His father said, "Winning boosted Pan's confidence, and he developed a strong passion for swimming."

Pan went on to join the Zhejiang Provincial Swimming Team and later the national team.

Pan's success fueled his dedication and focus. "Grit and focus stem from passion," Coach Ye explained. "When you genuinely love something, you naturally work hard and stay focused. Success creates a positive feedback loop. When Pan swims faster and better than others, he finds a sense of accomplishment, driving him to train harder."

At home in Wenzhou, Pan's medals hang proudly around his bed. His father said, "Initially, we hung the few medals on the headboard. As the number increased, we installed a rod to display them. Each medal represents his progress and a significant moment in his journey. With the addition of the gold medals from the Paris Olympics, we'll continue to display them, each one marking his growth and achievements."