The Dark Side of Athletic Fame in China
A gold medal-winning diver’s mother expressed her fears about her daughter returning home after their small town was inundated with enthusiastic supporters. Meanwhile, a champion swimmer, whose hotel was besieged by admirers, chose to disband his official fan club. He candidly stated in an interview that he would prefer to have performed poorly if it meant enjoying some peace and privacy.
Numerous athletes have found themselves overwhelmed by crowds at airports or have become the focal point of heated disputes online between rival fan groups. This phenomenon has drawn the ire of Chinese state media, which has criticized fans for their “visible aggression.” In a concerning development, the police have even detained at least two individuals for allegedly defaming athletes on social media.
Following a remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics, where China achieved a tie with the United States for the most gold medals, its athletes are now grappling with the unsettling side of success: extreme fandom.
While celebrities around the world often contend with intrusive fans, the situation in China can be particularly intense. Fan groups are known to indulge in extravagant spending on products endorsed by their idols, employ automated bots to ensure their favorites remain at the top of social media trending lists, and even launch harassment campaigns against rival stars and their supporters. Some fans go as far as stalking their idols and trading in their photos or private information.
Initially, the fervent obsession was primarily directed at actors and musicians. However, in recent years, this passionate devotion has shifted towards athletes as well.
In the small village of Maihe, located in southern China’s Guangdong Province, the local population of just a few thousand has been swamped by over 1,000 visitors daily. According to Chinese media reports, these visitors are flocking to see the home of 17-year-old Quan Hongchan, who triumphantly secured two gold medals in diving at the Paris Olympics.
