Pan Zhanle has conquered the world's biggest stages, beating out top swimmers in front of raucous crowds to emerge as a multiple Olympic and world champion.
But the toughest challenge for the Chinese swim star now is not facing his rivals in the pool. Instead, it is having to cope with all the attention that has been thrust on him after his successes in 2024.
The 20-year-old was one of the standout performers at the Paris Olympics, where he bettered his world record to win the 100m freestyle gold before anchoring the 4x100m medley relay team to victory, ending the United States' 64-year unbeaten run in the process.
"I'm not used to the fame and attention of being a star swimmer, I don't think I'll ever get used to it in my lifetime," he said in Mandarin. "Because we started off as normal people, it's not like I was born a winner."
Pan was speaking ahead of a sharing session with the public at the Singapore Management University on Oct 29.
This story is from the October 30, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 30, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Don't cross Culinary Class Wars star Anh Sung-jae of three-Michelin-starred Mosu
On an early episode of Netflix's hit reality cooking show Culinary Class Wars (2024), chef Anh Sung-jae stood in a warehouse filled with makeshift cooking stations and considered the plate in front of him: a rainbow palette of handmade pastas, purees and delicately cooked seafood. On top was a smattering of flower petals.
Emerald Hill to make Netflix debut
Emerald Hill looks set to be the must-watch local blockbuster series of 2025.
Refreshed museums in SG60 arts
A timely slate of refreshed spaces and new programmes at Singapore's arts and cultural institutions will be launched in 2025, wooing audiences with a different Singapore story as the nation gears up to mark 60 years of independence.
Going casual to woo fickle diners
Serious artwork on the wall. Bespoke crockery on cloth-covered tables. A fine wine list. Eye-watering menu prices. Just don't call it a fine-dining restaurant.
Smartwatches Make Healthcare Smarter
From tracking heart rate to steps taken to sleep quality, smartwatches and fitness trackers can generate biometric data about the people using them.
Quality, not quantity, rules the superhero game
In 2025, the big studios are rolling up their sleeves to tackle a disease plaguing the box office – superhero fatigue.
Big-name musicals to hit the stage
Soothing melodies and soaring high notes are set to fill the air, as the coming year brings along a host of musicals to the Lion City.
Celebrating design with SG60, new hotels and theme parks
Architecture and urban design take centre stage in 2025, with marquee events such as a year-long celebration of Singapore's 60th year of independence (SG60) and launches of Sentosa attractions to enhance the destination's \"islander allure\".
Travel prices likely to remain high
Low-cost carriers (LCCs) - once known solely for their no-frills, short-haul offerings - have been going through a route awakening.
More will work from the office, but hybrid is here to stay
2025 marks five years since Covid-19 shattered entrenched beliefs about the nature of work.
