China’s gymnastics and table tennis associations have condemned abusive and defamatory remarks by toxic fans about members of the country’s Paris Olympics team, amid a police campaign against “illegal” social media comments.
The Chinese Gymnastics Association said on Saturday that some fans had “created and spreading false rumours” among followers of the team, “stirring up negative emotions online, and insulting or slandering athletes, coaches, and officials”.
The behaviour inflicted “serious harm” to the work, lives, and families of those targeted and “disrupted and damaged the Chinese gymnastics team’s tradition of unity and patriotism”, the association said.
It did not say who the posts were aimed at or give details of the content.
The Chinese Table Tennis Association made a similar statement, saying some comments had had “extremely negative effects” on the athletes, coaches and society.
“The chaos in ‘fan circles’ has severely disrupted the normal training and competition of the Chinese table tennis team,” it said, again without saying what content it was referring to.
“Our association will collect evidence and hold accountable any organisations or individuals who insult, slander, or maliciously attack the Chinese table tennis team or its members online or in public places.”
02:09
China’s swimming star Pan Zhanle disbands official fan club amid toxic fan culture
China’s swimming star Pan Zhanle disbands official fan club amid toxic fan culture
The warnings come after China amassed its biggest gold medal haul at a Summer Olympics away from home.
The Chinese team tied with the United States in Paris, with 40 gold, ahead of Japan on 20 and Australia on 18.
The games, which ended a week ago, also unleashed some “illegal” fan behaviour, according to the Ministry of Public Security.
The ministry said that in two cases fans posted “negative information about table tennis players and coaches on social media” during the Olympics.
It said the behaviour caused “a harmful impact on society” and it was enforcing criminal case procedures against those involved.
Three other people were given “administrative penalties” for posting material questioning an unspecified Chinese Olympic champion and “publicly insulting gymnasts” on social media.
The ministry did not say what laws had been broken but revisions to the criminal law which came into effect in 2021 stipulate that it is a crime to damage the reputation and honour of heroes and martyrs.
02:07
Quan Hongchan’s hometown becomes tourist hotspot after her success at Paris Olympics
Quan Hongchan’s hometown becomes tourist hotspot after her success at Paris Olympics
Earlier in the week, Olympic champion and new 100m freestyle world-record holder Pan Zhanle took his own stand against fandom when he disbanded his only official fan group on microblogging site Weibo.
Pan’s record-setting performance in Paris along with his instrumental role in ending the United States’ 64-year domination of the men’s 4x100m medley relay, earned him a huge following online.
But Pan said he wanted he wanted to enjoy “a low profile and some peace and quiet”, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The moves aligns with Beijing’s campaign in recent years to “clean up” online content and curb online fan communities, particularly relating to celebrities.
In 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the country’s internet watchdog, detailed 10 areas for rectification among fan communities.
The CAC told local authorities to cancel all forms of celebrity rankings and tighten oversight of celebrity marketing agencies.
