The United States’ remarkable 64-year unbeaten streak in the men’s 4×100-meter medley relay came to an end at the Paris Olympics on Sunday as China stormed to a sensational victory. The deafening cheers of the crowd at the La Defense Arena reached a fever pitch as the 100-meter freestyle world record holder, Pan Zhanle, anchored the Chinese team with a phenomenal swim, bringing them home in a time of 3:27.46.
The Chinese team, consisting of Xu Jiayu, Qin Haiyang, Sun Jiajun, and the incredible Pan Zhanle, delivered a performance for the ages. Pan’s blistering anchor leg, clocking in at 45.92 seconds, was the key to the upset victory. Qin Haiyang’s powerful breaststroke leg, where he recorded a sizzling time of 57.98 seconds, also played a crucial role in outmaneuvering France’s four-gold medalist, Leon Marchand.
The American team, featuring Caeleb Dressel, had to settle for silver, finishing 0.55 seconds behind the Chinese. France, powered by Marchand’s exceptional performance, secured bronze.
This victory marks a significant moment in swimming history as China shattered the U.S.’s longstanding dominance in the event. The U.S. had not lost a men’s medley relay final since the inaugural event at the 1960 Rome Games, with their only absence coming in 1980 due to the boycott of the Moscow Olympics.
Pan Zhanle’s incredible swim, combined with the team’s overall performance, has undoubtedly etched their names in the annals of Olympic history. This victory is a testament to the rising power of Chinese swimming on the world stage and a monumental upset that will be remembered for years to come.
