China takes aim at 'chaotic' fan groups after Olympians abused online

Weibo

19/08/2024 06:54

HONG KONG, Aug 19 (Reuters) - China's government and
official sporting bodies have condemned fans for using social
media to attack and spread rumours about the country's Olympians
and said the behaviour had an extremely negative impact on
athletes, coaches and their families.
    China's Ministry of Public Security said it would crack down
on "illegal and criminal acts of 'fan circles' as part of its
internet security measures" and urged people not to "spread
rumours, attack and slander others". 
    The bureau highlighted four cases where it had taken action
against fan groups for their treatment of athletes who competed
at the Paris Olympics, including some fans who had "insulted and
defamed table tennis players and coaches".
    China's table tennis association said the "chaos" of fan
groups had interfered with the team's training and competition.
    The Public Security ministry said another case centred
around gymnasts being insulted on social media.
    At the weekend, the Chinese Gymnastics Association said
athletes, coaches and managers had been the targets of rumours
and insults, negatively impacting the work, life and family of
relevant personnel.
    The statements came after swimmer Pan Zhanle, 20, who broke
the world record in the 100 metres freestyle, disbanded his only
fan group page on social medial platform Weibo and told state
broadcaster CCTV that he preferred to keep a low profile.
    "A bad thing about being famous is that too many people
surround me," he said. "I'd rather not have as much success if
it meant I could continue training hard with peace of mind."
    China delivered its best performance at a Summer Olympics
since the 2008 Games on home soil, winning the joint most gold
medals with the United States in Paris and only missing out on
topping the standings on silver medal count.
     The 40 golds were an all time high for a Games outside
China and was achieved despite immense pressure and tightened
scrutiny resulting from a doping row involving some of its
swimmers.
    
  

     

 (Reporting by Farah Master and the Beijing newsroom; Editing by
Peter Rutherford
)
 ((farah.master@thomsonreuters.com; +852 3462 7709;))