Pan Zhanle of China won the men’s 100m freestyle at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, smashing the world mark.
Pan finished in 46.40 seconds, surpassing his previous world record of 46.80 seconds established in Doha in February.
Kyle Chalmers of Australia, who won gold at the 2016 Rio Games, finished 1.08 seconds behind in second place, with Romanian David Popovici in third.
Pan’s triumph was a much-needed lift for China, which has underperformed in the Paris pool thus far.
Chalmers was disappointed with his silver medal in Tokyo, having intended to reclaim his crown eight years after winning in Brazil.
Pan is the first Chinese swimmer to hold the world record in this race, and he is also the first to win gold in what is considered the sport’s pinnacle event.
The bronze medal was Popovici’s second in Paris, following her gold medal in the 200m freestyle.
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