The recent backlash against Chinese Olympians on social media has sparked outrage from the government and official sporting bodies in China. Fans have been using social media platforms to attack and spread rumors about the country’s athletes, coaches, and their families. This behavior has been condemned by China’s Ministry of Public Security, which has vowed to crack down on these „illegal and criminal acts of ‚fan circles'“ as part of its internet security measures.
Several cases have been highlighted where fan groups have been targeted for their treatment of athletes who competed at the Paris Olympics. The China Table Tennis Association has spoken out against the chaos caused by fan groups, which has interfered with the team’s training and competition. Additionally, gymnasts have been insulted on social media, prompting the Chinese Gymnastics Association to address the negative impact on athletes, coaches, and managers.
One notable incident involved swimmer Pan Zhanle, who broke the world record in the 100 meters freestyle. Despite his success, Pan disbanded his only fan group page on social media platform Weibo and expressed a desire to keep a low profile. He stated, „A bad thing about being famous is that too many people surround me. I’d rather not have as much success if it meant I could continue training hard with peace of mind.“
Despite the challenges faced by Chinese athletes, the country delivered its best performance at a Summer Olympics since the 2008 Games on home soil. China won the joint most gold medals with the United States in Paris and only missed out on topping the standings based on silver medal count. The 40 gold medals achieved were an all-time high for a Games outside China, demonstrating the resilience and determination of Chinese athletes in the face of immense pressure and scrutiny.
In conclusion, the backlash against Chinese Olympians on social media has had a detrimental impact on the athletes, coaches, and their families. The government and official sporting bodies in China have condemned this behavior and vowed to take action against those responsible. Despite the challenges faced, Chinese athletes have shown remarkable resilience and achieved great success at the Paris Olympics. It is important for fans to support and uplift athletes rather than engage in negative and harmful behavior on social media.