A screen shot of three-time Olympic champion Quan Hongchan (right) during interview with Portrait

Chinese netizens voiced support for three-time Olympic champion diver Quan Hongchan after she admitted that she "seriously considered retiring" due to struggles with weight control and mounting public pressure after the Paris 2024 Olympics during a recent interview with Chinese magazine Portrait.
 
Throughout 2025, what troubled Quan the most was her weight. Despite limiting herself to just one meal a day in an effort to slim down, often to the point of extreme hunger, her weight still remained "stubbornly high," the magazine reported.
 
"I don't dare to step on the scale, and every time I look in the mirror, I feel myself especially fat and bulky. I'm also afraid of being on camera - when others take photos of me, it scares me. I don't dare to wear shorts or dresses; I only feel comfortable in long pants and long sleeves because I can't accept this 'fat' version of myself," said Quan, who celebrated her 19th birthday on March 28, Portrait magazine reported.

Quan started diving at the age of 7. She joined the Guangdong provincial team in 2018 and was selected for China's national team at the end of 2020. The teenager rose to fame at the Tokyo Olympics after winning gold in the women's 10m platform with record points. She then defended her title at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and also won gold in the synchronized 10m platform.

The early fame put her private life in the spotlight. When she started to gain weight after the Paris Games, she has faced doubts and attacks on social media with some saying that she was "slacking off in training." 

After the Paris Olympics, Quan began her menstrual cycle and entered a stage of full physical development. Her hormone levels fluctuated significantly, fat distribution changed, and her weight and body shape underwent natural transformations. The physiological processes cannot be altered by her personal will, according to a report published by China Women's News on Monday.
 
Countless people once cheered for Quan's "splash-free" technique during the diving competitions, but now she deserves even more empathy and understanding, said the report. 

"Our applause should not be reserved only for flawless results; it should also embrace the changes that come with growth. Let every act of kindness and understanding become the confidence and strength that young athletes need to keep moving forward," according to the China Women's News.

Another report by the Workers' Daily said that the girls in diving face challenges not only from gravity and technical difficulty but also from the natural changes of their growing bodies and the limits of their psychological endurance. In order to control their weight, they have to make tremendous sacrifices.
 
Sports are not just about medals and winning or losing; they are about effort and perseverance, growth and acceptance, according to the Workers' Daily.

Seeing what Quan has been through, some netizens expressed their hopes on social media that Quan will be happy and not put too much pressure on herself.

Quan Hongchan is still just a child—she should be able to live happily and freely, without caring too much about what others think, said one netizen from South China's Guangdong Province.

"Quan is a sincere and down-to-earth girl. I hope she can relax, find joy, and trust herself. Things will only get better from here!" said a netizen from East China's Fujian Province.

"Quan reached the peak of her professional career before even coming of age. Life is a long journey—just be your true self, don't let others influence you, and don't put too much pressure on yourself," said another netizen.

"No matter right or wrong, it's all your own path. Take it slow. You're already doing so well. You're amazing. Keep going!"said another netizen.

Quan said that at 19, she stands at a crossroads in life. Diving is no longer the entirety of her world. Beyond winning and losing, she now has to face the inescapable pressure brought by public attention and online traffic.
 
Confronted with constant speculation and questions about her future - whether she will retire, transition to a new path, or return to school, Quan said, "I can only say that for now, I want to rest. I want to properly readjust my condition, take a good break, and think carefully about what I want to do next," she told the magazine.