Kyle Chalmers has become the target of shocking social media attacks from angry Chinese fans who claim the Australian “disrespected” Zhanle Pan before and after his dramatic 100m freestyle victory at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Pan claimed China’s first gold medal in the Paris pool on Thursday morning (AEST), setting a new world record in the process and leaving the Australian champion behind.
Speaking to a Chinese news outlet after the race, Pan attacked Chalmers, accusing him of belittling him after winning silver in the one-sided final.
This has sparked a storm on Chinese social media platform Weibo, which according to Statista has more than 605 million users.
Pan’s video went viral among Chinese fans who attacked Chalmers, although the Australian can prove he had a friendly chat with Pan.
“After finishing the 100-meter race, I said hello to (Kyle) Chalmers, but he didn’t recognize me at all,” Pan said in the video, translated into English.
‘Even the American swimmer Alexy (Jack), when we were practicing. Our coach was standing on the platform and he did a somersault.
‘The way he made the turn, he splashed directly at our bus.
Chalmers had to settle for second place, behind Pan’s world record swimmer in the 100m freestyle.
Pan received waves of support from China, while many of his supporters were unhappy with comments he made about Chalmers.
“It seems like they are looking down on us as a team. Can I say that here?”
Interviewer: “You can say whatever you want.”
“But finally today I beat them all and especially in such a difficult pool. Breaking a world record is just… it was a great race for me,” Pan said.
Some of the comments posted on Chinese social media site Weibo defend Pan and attack Chalmers and Australia as “sore losers.”
“Some Westerners always think they are superior to others. Instead of taking responsibility for their own mistakes, they slander others if they lose,” posted one Weibo user.
“That is why their countries are losing competitiveness and falling behind.”
However, Chalmers painted a very different picture of what happened when he crossed paths with Pan during the week leading up to their big showdown.
“Pan, the Chinese guy, right before we went out, he was like, ‘You’re my idol and I love, love, love watching you,'” Chalmers said. “It was crazy.”
“Probably her first Olympic experience is almost my gold medal in Rio, so to inspire this next generation of 100 freestyle athletes and still be able to match them a little bit is nice.”
Chalmers was photographed warmly shaking Pan’s hand after receiving his medals.
The Australian superfish even posed for a selfie with Pan and bronze medalist David Popovici.
Chalmers was also pictured congratulating Pan after the race with a big smile and a warm handshake, and even took the time to take a selfie with the Chinese star.
Pan also responded to allegations that he was involved in doping to achieve the world record.
In late 2022 and early 2023, several Chinese athletes, including 23 swimmers, tested positive for traces of the banned substance methandienone. Pan was not named among them.
They were provisionally suspended on November 3, 2022, and faced four-year bans from their respective sports before an investigation found the results were the result of meat contamination, not doping.
Chinese state security authorities reportedly said Australian beef was the source of the problem after analysing beef imports.
Pan’s own post on Chinese social media platform Weibo is shown translated into English.
Pan said there was little chance any Chinese athletes in Paris could be using performance-enhancing drugs because of the high volume of testing they face.
“Last year I had 29 tests and all of them were negative. This year, from May (for the championship) to July, I had another 21 tests and all of them were negative,” he explained.
‘Today (the day of winning the gold medal), I have already had two tests (before and after) and now I am waiting for the results.
“They have been testing on strict schedules and following all the rules, so that they can test all of us. So there is nothing to worry about in this matter.”
Chalmers also dismissed any suggestion that Pan had done anything wrong after the race.
“I’m doing everything I can to win the race and I trust everyone will do the same as me, staying true to the integrity of the sport,” said the silver medallist.
“I trust that… he (Pan) deserves that gold medal.”