Pan Zhanle sets new world record in the 100-meter freestyle at 2024 Paris Olympics

Yahoo Sports Staff
Pan Zhanle, of China, celebrates after winning the men's 100-meter freestyle final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
China's Pan Zhanle celebrates after winning the men's 100-meter freestyle final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

China's Pan Zhanle made history on Wednesday at Paris' La Défense Arena, winning the gold medal in the men's 100-meter freestyle and breaking the world record — which he set back in February. It was the first world record to be broken in the pool at these Paris Olympic Games.

The first-time Olympian posted a 46.40, shaving .40 seconds off the previous world record 46.80 he set earlier this year at the world championships in Doha. Australia's Kyle Chalmers won silver with a 47.48, while Romania's David Popovici won bronze with a 47.49. Team USA's Jack Alexy and Chris Guiliano finished in seventh and eighth, respectively.

The 19-year-old Zhanle's performance helped cap off a banner day in the pool, with Team USA's Katie Ledecky cruising to a gold medal in the 1500-meter freestyle, and France's Leon Marchand completing an unprecedented Olympic double, winning gold in both the 200-meter butterfly and the 200-meter breaststroke.

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