Quan Hongchan, Chinese Olympic diving champion, speaks about online controversial comments in an interview released on March 30, 2026. Photo: Screenshot from website

The swimming management center of General Administration of Sport of China on Wednesday issued a statement condemning online abuse targeting Chinese Olympic diving champion Quan Hongchan, vowing zero tolerance for cyberbullying and defamation that harm athletes' well-being and tarnish the national team's image, as relevant training center reported the case to the police, according to the information released on China Swimming Association's official website.

According to the statement, recent online attacks, malicious comments, and false information targeting Quan and other divers have drawn serious attention from the center. The center said it has coordinated with relevant departments under the Guangdong provincial sports bureau to investigate and address the situation. The Ersha sports training center in South China's Guangdong Province, where Quan trained, has already reported the case to police, with authorities pledging full support for protecting athletes' legal rights through legal means.

The statement also stressed efforts to firmly resist the erosion of distorted "fan culture," adding that any individuals involved will be dealt with seriously once verified, with no leniency.

Authorities said they will further strengthen national team development and improve mechanisms to safeguard athletes' well-being, aiming to foster a healthy online environment and uphold the positive image of Chinese athletes, per the statement.

Earlier, the Ersha sports training center confirmed in a notice released on its WeChat account that it had reported cyberbullying, malicious attacks and misinformation against Quan to the police. We will safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of athletes through legal means. Anyone involved, once verified, will be dealt with seriously and without leniency, the notice wrote.

According to the notice, the training center emphasized that athletes are a valuable national asset and representatives of sporting spirit. Any acts of malicious slander, verbal abuse, or spreading false information against athletes and their families have crossed legal and moral boundaries, it said, adding that the center firmly opposes any form of online violence and personal attacks, and resolutely rejects the toxic excesses of fan-circle culture.

The notice also calls on sports enthusiasts to refocus their attention on sport itself and on the spirit of perseverance it embodies, as respect and understanding are the cheers heard on the field and the tolerance shown at the time of the lowest point. 

In a previous interview published by People magazine on March 30, Quan, who just turned 19, revealed that after the Paris Olympics she struggled with weight control and mounting public pressure, which took a toll on her mental and physical health and even led her to consider retirement.

"I hope those who attack me will stop," she said. "Please don't insult me, my family, or my friends, or they will all distance themselves from me."

Global Times