Zhanle Pan and the sad truth. David Popovic’s rival had huge problems helping his parents and grandfather find tickets to see him swim in Shanghai

Zhanle Pan, David Popovici’s rival, has revealed the problems he had in bringing his family to see him at the Paris Olympics.

Zhanle Pan is one of David Popovici’s great rivalsbeing the winner of the 100 meters freestyle event, setting a new world record of 46:40 seconds. The Chinese swimmer spoke of the difficulties he had in bringing his family to Paris, saying he had failed to do so.

David Popovic’s rival Zhanle Pan couldn’t bring his family to watch him at the Paris Olympics

Although he is the reigning world and Olympic champion, Zhanle Pan was unable to bring his family to watch him live in Paris. The Chinese athlete blames the high ticket prices, which his family, including himself, cannot afford.

Zhanle Pan attended the Swimming World Cup in Shanghai, where he revealed that his family only attended the event because it was close to home, explaining that the ticket prices in Paris were very high, and his parents and grandfather they couldn’t make the trip to Paris.

“But tickets are very hard to get; they could not procure them at all. I called everyone and many friends to help them. What is particularly sad is that they were not there when I set the record in the 100m freestyle at the Paris Olympics,” said Zhanle Pan, according to sportskeeda.com.

Zhanle Pan, defeated at home by an Italian athlete

Pan was defeated by Italian Thomas Cecconwith a difference of only 0.03 hundredths in the 100 meters freestyle at the short course World Cup stage in Shanghai. Zhanle Pan clocked 46:35 seconds, while Thomas Ceccon clocked 46:32 seconds.

“I don’t think it’s regrettable at all. Nobody is perfect and it is impossible to win every competition. Achieving such a result in this competition is something I am very pleased with, Pan Zhanle wrote on social media.