China's Pan Zhanle crushes his own world record in 100 freestyle

NANTERRE, France — In a men’s 100-meter freestyle final that wasn't particularly close, Pan Zhanle of China prevailed as the Olympic gold medalist, shattering his own world record in 46.40 seconds.

On Day 5 of swimming at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kyle Chalmers of Australia won silver with a time of 47.48, and David Popovici of Romania won bronze with a 47.49 swim at Paris La Défense Arena. 

The previous world record was 46.80 set by Pan in February.

Americans Jack Alexy and Chris Guiliano, both 21-year-old first-time Olympians, finished seventh and eighth respectively.

Alexy qualified sixth and Guiliano seventh in Tuesday’s semifinals, and both were about half a second behind Pan, who qualified first.

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In the men’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay Saturday, Pan lowered the men’s 100 free Olympic record to 46.92 on the leadoff leg for Team China, which ultimately finished fourth behind Team USA’s gold-medal victory. 

Through the first half of swimming at the Paris Games, Guiliano and Alexy already have some Olympic hardware. Both were part of the gold medal-winning men’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay Saturday, and Guiliano added a silver medal to his stash in Tuesday’s men’s 4x200-meter freestyle relay behind Great Britain’s gold.