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Doxxing and cyberbullying
Opinion
SCMP Editorial
Editorial
SCMP Editorial

China’s sports stars show bravery in the face of toxic fan culture

Olympic champion Quan Hongchan is just the latest Chinese star to detail being on the receiving end of abuse from fans

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Quan Hongchan celebrates winning gold in the women’s 10m platform at the Paris Olympics on August 6, 2024. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Editorial
Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.
Teenage sports star Quan Hongchan became a national hero and China’s “diving queen” through her extraordinary medal-winning feats. She is adored by millions of fans, but like so many top performers, the 19-year-old has also been a target of online abuse. This is not surprising, given the often toxic nature of the mainland’s fan culture. That does not, however, make it acceptable.

Quan, who won her first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo in 2021 when only 14, has been targeted as a result of gaining weight as she reached adulthood. She spoke in a recent interview about the negative impact on her life of constantly being labelled “fat”, and her mental and physical exhaustion. Quan deserves sympathy and support.

She is far from alone. The mainland authorities have, for years, sought to combat abusive fans, as sports stars are mobbed, stalked, smeared and doxxed. Top table tennis player Fan Zhendong, who endured a fan intruding into his hotel room, has spoken of the psychological trauma and warned that sports should not be reduced to a battleground with fans. He joined a German club last year.
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Wang Chuqin, the world’s top-ranked men’s singles player, has suffered severe online attacks for losing. Champion diver Chen Yuxi has also been a victim of online threats. There are many more examples.

The authorities have cracked down on such abuse, with campaigns intended to clean up online content and curb excessive fan behaviour. The top internet regulator warned last year that such conduct was disrupting the preparation and smooth operation of events. It is a phenomenon and not easy to control.

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Anyone in the public eye is well aware that social media can be hugely beneficial in forging a following and gaining fame, but it is a double-edged sword. Criticism comes with the territory. There should, however, be limits. Attacks on sports stars are a global problem, not confined to the mainland.

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