If you are a speed geek, you will probably be interested in this.
What is the FASTEST Computer Language? 45 Languages Tested! (E01)
Not interested, and from the start knew it was purposely being deceptive. I've seen various speed comparisons over the years, and the core behind them is usually a person or group trying to push their pet language(s). The main trick is to have code optimized for a particular test. Limit the test to something your pet language and/or compiler does well with. Of course you come out on or near the top or you bash rival languages that seemingly don't do so well on the specifically preselected test and criteria. Feign ignorance or completely gaslight whenever rival skilled programmers call the person out on the how and why of their test and criteria selection.
The key is to trick as many newbies, less knowledgeable people, and members of the media as possible before shutting down and declaring victory. Let's not forget the trick of click-baiting for views as well. If you are lucky, your propaganda will be regurgitated and circulated on the internet through 3rd parties for years.
Add to the stinky game, which can be played against various languages, the additional agenda to bash Pascal by rival programming languages. Usually because they don't like non C family languages or they have a corporate agenda in play.
When a person talks about the speed of their language, the push back should be for what purpose? Speed is always relative to what you are doing and your needs. In fact, on the list of reasons why you are using a particular language for a specific purpose, speed might be several spots removed from the top of the list. A lot depends on what you are doing.