Accusations at the Olympics

Uproar after world record: “Not humanly possible”

Zhanle Pan made the competition look old.(Bild: AP/Ashley Landis)

Chinese swimmer Zhanle Pan set a fabulous world record of 46.40 seconds over 100 meters freestyle, four tenths of a second faster than in February as the starting swimmer for the Chinese relay team that won the World Championships in Doha. Now there are serious accusations.

It was the first world record at these title fights in the La Defense Arena. Pan will be 20 years old on Sunday. The competition in the side lanes looked on in amazement as Pan triumphed in lane four. Second-placed Australian Kyle Chalmers was more than a second behind with 47.48 seconds, while 19-year-old David Popovici (ROU/47.49) was third.

"This is not real"
The teenager's world record raises questions. "Listen, I'll be honest. I'm angry about this swim for a number of reasons," said former Australian Olympic swimmer and current coach Brett Hawk via Instagram. "This isn't real, you don't beat these guys - Kyle Chalmers, David Popovici, Jack Alexy - by a whole body length over 100 meters freestyle. It's not humanly possible! Okay?"

Doping allegations against Pan! Did the Chinese man help? "Last year I was tested 29 times and I've never tested positive. I was tested after the race. We'll see the result," said the Olympic champion, unable to understand the excitement.