World
The Challenges of Extreme Fandom for Chinese Athletes
Explore the complexities and pressures faced by Chinese athletes in the world of extreme fandom. This article delves into the impact of intense support, scrutiny, and expectations, highlighting the emotional and psychological challenges they endure.
The Dark Side of Athletic Fame in China
A gold medal-winning diver’s mother expressed her apprehension about her daughter’s return home, as their hometown has been inundated with enthusiastic supporters eager to celebrate her achievements. Meanwhile, a champion swimmer, whose hotel was besieged by admirers, took the drastic step of disbanding his official fan group. During an interview, he candidly remarked that he would have preferred to perform poorly rather than face the overwhelming attention.
Many athletes have found themselves overwhelmed by crowds at airports, while others become the center of heated disputes online between rival fan factions. This intense scrutiny has prompted Chinese state media to criticize fans for their “visibly aggressive” behavior. In some alarming instances, the police have detained at least two individuals for allegedly defaming athletes.
After an impressive showing at the Paris Olympics, where China equaled the United States in gold medal count, Chinese athletes are now grappling with a more troubling aspect of their newfound fame: the phenomenon of extreme fandom.
While celebrities around the world often contend with invasive fans, the situation in China can be particularly intense. Fan groups invest significantly in merchandise endorsed by their idols, utilize bots to keep their favorites trending on social media, and even organize harassment campaigns against rival stars and their supporters. Some fans go so far as to stalk their idols and monetize their personal information or photographs.
Initially, this fervent obsession was primarily directed towards actors and musicians. However, in recent years, athletes have also become targets of this extreme admiration.
In the small village of Maihe, located in Guangdong Province, the population of a few thousand has been overwhelmed by over 1,000 visitors each day, according to reports from Chinese media. These visitors are drawn to the home of 17-year-old Quan Hongchan, who captured the spotlight by winning two gold medals in diving at the Paris Olympics.