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Pan Zhanle’s Olympic gold medal win ‘not humanly possible’, Australian rival’s coach says

 

 

Ira Gorawara

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The coach of Australian silver medallist Kyle Chalmers 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.

 

Chalmers posted a time of 47.48, more than a second adrift of Pan, and his coach, Brett Hawke, 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.

 

Most of the allegations have been raised by Americans, Australians, and Europeans, while the US suggested Wada was withholding information.

 

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.

 

There was a polarising response online to Hawke’s claims.

 

“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.

 

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

Hawke, who claims he is 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, Hawke placed his wager on Australia’s Kyle Chalmers while the rest were in support of America’s Jack Alexey, who ultimately finished seventh.

 

But Hawke was quick to criticise Pan – alleging that the swimmer made a “crucial mistake” by holding his jacket during his pool entry rather than wearing it.

 

“That was a mistake. Crucial mistake from Pan, he should have put the jacket on. I think he’s lost this race just because of that walk out right there. Crucial mistake,” Hawke said, which was met by a chuckle from his co-hosts.

 

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.”