Wenzhou athletes win gold in men's 4x100m medley relay
Pan Zhanle, Sun Jiajun, Qin Haiyang and Xu Jiayu (from left to right) win the gold medal in the men's 4x100m medley relay at the Paris Olympics. [Photo/IC]
On Aug 5, Beijing time, the Chinese team, featuring Xu Jiayu, Qin Haiyang, Sun Jiajun, and Pan Zhanle, made history by winning the gold medal in the men's 4x100m medley relay at the Paris Olympics. This is China’s first gold in this event, with Wenzhou athletes Xu and Pan playing pivotal roles.
This victory marks the 19th gold for the Chinese delegation at the Paris Olympics and the second for the Chinese swimming team, ending the United States' over 40-year reign in the event.
Pan swam an impressive 45.92 seconds in the final freestyle leg, achieving his goal of timing in at under 46 seconds.
Earlier, in the men's 100m freestyle final, 19-year-old Pan broke the world record with a time of 46.40 seconds. This was the first gold for the Chinese swimming team at the Paris Olympics and Pan's second world record in the 100m freestyle within a year.
Xu also excelled. He was the first leg, ranking second behind the US athlete in the first 50 meters and regaining first place after 100 meters.
Xu also won silver in the men's 100m backstroke with a time of 52.32 seconds, earning Wenzhou its first medal of the Games.