China’s most decorated Olympic swimmer Zhang Yufei with three Paris Olympics medals already in her bag didn’t mince words when an Australian reporter questioned the legitimacy of her male compatriot Pan Zhanle’s new world record. Pan’s success was the result of the hard work, she said. Why are questions raised about the Chinese and not those from Western countries, she asked.
Zhang was among the 23 Chinese swimmers allowed to compete in the Tokyo Games three years ago despite testing positive for a banned substance, the New York Times and German broadcaster ARD reported in April. The Chinese said they tested positive because they inadvertently ate contaminated hotel food. Since then they have undergone intensive drug tests to be eligible for the Games.
Medals for Zhang Yufei
Zhang, called the “butterfly queen’ in China, won bronze in the 200-metre butterfly in Paris on Thursday (August 1) despite suffering from fever and dysmenorrhea (painful periods or menstrual cramps), reported China’s Global Times. She had also won bronze in the 100-metre butterfly and the 4×100m-metre women’s freestyle relay, where China finished third behind Australia and the United States.
The 26-year-old said she was impressed with herself for being able to take part in the 200-metre butterfly despite her physical condition.
“I think this is probably one of the most difficult races I’ve had at these Olympics. I’m much better now, but when I was swimming my hands were a little bit numb because right now I am on my period and I was also in pain during the race,” she told the Xinhua News Agency.
Zhang is now the most decorated Olympic swimmer from China with seven medals from Tokyo and Paris. “I hope to use my performance to gain recognition for Chinese athletes, showing that we are not just a flash in the pan but can be as enduring as foreign athletes,” she said.
The Chinese swimming team has won one gold, two silvers and four bronzes in Paris – the gold won by Pan Zhanle, who broke the men’s 100-metre freestyle world record, on Wednesday (July 31).
Pan, 19, won the 100-metre men’s freestyle in 46.60 seconds, shaving 0.40 seconds off the mark he set at the world championships in Doha, Qatar, in February.
Some found Pan’s achievements “unbelievable”, said an Australian reporter at a press conference.
Zhang on Pan
Zhang replied that Pan’s success was the result of hard work and should not be viewed with scepticism.
“Pan had consistently swum under 47 seconds prior to achieving his new world record, indicating a stable and continuous improvement rather than a sudden leap in performance. Pan’s achievements were legitimate and attained under stringent anti-doping protocols,” said Zhang.
“Why are Chinese athletes questioned when they achieve fast times, yet no one doubted Michael Phelps when he won seven or eight gold medals? Similarly, Katie Ledecky has dominated long-distance swimming from 2012 to 2024, winning gold in every event, yet no one questioned her performances?” she added.
Chinese swimmers have undergone frequent doping tests, especially during the week leading up to the Paris Olympics, the Global Times reported.
Zhang told the Xinhua News Agency earlier that in the two months leading up to the Paris Olympics, every Chinese swimmer was tested 20 to 30 times, averaging three to four tests per person per week.
After winning the 100-metre freestyle on Wednesday, Pan said:”Last year, I underwent 29 tests, and not once did I test positive. This year, from May to July, I had 21 tests, and again, not a single positive result.”
Pan was not one of the swimmers named in the New York Times investigation.