Beijing Cracks Down on “Aggressive Fans” Impacting Chinese Athletes at Paris Olympics
Beijing is taking a stand against what it calls “aggressive fans” who are allegedly affecting the performance of Chinese athletes at the Paris Olympics. State media reports have highlighted instances of inappropriate behavior, such as fans booing during events or accusing referees of unfairness.
The issue came to a head on August 3rd when paddler Chen Meng defeated teammate Sun Yingsha to win gold in the table tennis women’s singles. Despite the victory, Chinese social media exploded with support for Sun, with some denouncing Chen’s win, claiming Sun was exhausted from earlier events.
In response, Chinese social media platforms have removed thousands of posts and banned over 800 accounts for spreading negativity. One fan even wished for Chen to test positive for a banned substance so Sun could be awarded the gold medal, sparking outrage online.
Authorities have taken action against those inciting conflict, with a 29-year-old woman arrested for posting defamatory comments about the match. Police stated that she maliciously fabricated information, resulting in an adverse impact on society.
This crackdown is part of Beijing’s ongoing battle against what it deems “toxic” celebrity culture. Measures have included banning celebrity rankings, restructuring fan clubs, and removing harmful content from fan pages.
The state-run Global Times newspaper has published articles denouncing “fan culture” in sports, warning of its negative impact on the sporting world. Authorities have criticized fans for disruptive behavior during matches and profiting from athlete memorabilia.
Chinese authorities have long warned against “fan culture,” urging fans to respect athletes and maintain order at events. Athletes themselves have called for respect and urged fans to express preferences without attacking others.
As the Paris Olympics continue, Beijing’s crackdown on aggressive fans serves as a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and respect in the world of athletics.
