Kyle Chalmers rescues silver in Paris: Australia star comes back from EIGHTH at the turn to take medal... but has no answer for Chinese rival's ridiculous world record

Kyle Chalmers has failed to reclaim his Olympic gold in the men's 100m freestyle,  losing out to China's Pan Zhanle in Paris. 

But it could have been so much worse for the Australian, who suffered a very sluggish first 50m in the blue ribbon event on Thursday morning.

Chalmers, starting in lane five as the second-fastest qualifier in the field, was the slowest to touch the wall on the turn as his rivals made a rapid start to the race.

But he clawed back ground to burst through in the final 15 metres, clocking a time of 47.48 seconds.

Yet in a stunning turn of events, Pan was over a second quicker than Chalmers to take gold, and the Rio Olympic champion had to settle for silver.

More to follow.