Chinese swimming authorities have launched an investigation into cyberbullying targeting Olympic diving champion Quan Hongchan and have reported the case to police.
The announcement was made on Wednesday (April 8) by China’s Swimming Management Centre, which said the three-time Olympic gold medallist has been subjected to online abuse, including malicious attacks and the spread of false information.
Quan, who won her first Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020 at just 14 years old and went on to claim two more titles at Paris 2024, has previously spoken about facing toxic online comments about her weight. She also revealed the intense pressure she experienced to diet, despite reportedly eating very little.
Now 19, Quan told Chinese magazine Renwu earlier this year that she had seriously considered retiring after the Paris Olympics due to the mental strain, before ultimately deciding to continue competing.
The Swimming Management Centre said cyberbullying and harmful content targeting Quan and other divers have been circulating online, stressing that such actions have affected athletes’ physical and mental well-being.
It strongly condemned the behaviour and said it would strengthen protection systems for athletes while working to maintain a healthier online environment for sports discussions.
The centre also said it remains committed to curbing harmful online culture and ensuring better safeguarding measures for athletes in the future.
Since her Olympic success, Quan’s hometown of Maihe in Zhanjiang has become a tourist attraction, drawing increased public attention to her personal life.
In an April editorial, state-backed newspaper Global Times criticised what it described as an “unhealthy fan culture”, where admiration for athletes can quickly turn into hostility and online abuse.
